Latest news with #orchard
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
The urban orchard cooling London during heatwaves
Turn off the busy, hectic, Cable Street in Tower Hamlets, walk through the estate, turn a corner and you are suddenly in the middle of lots and lots of fruit is an orchard of fifty trees of apples, quinces, plums, pears, cherries and crab apples, and it is right in the middle of St George's was planted in 2013 by the charity Trees for Ford, who lives in the nearby tower block, remembers seeing the trees being planted. Soon he was involved in watering them and became one of a very small number of people who look after the orchards. Jim Ford, who lives in the nearby tower block, remembers seeing the trees being planted. Soon he was involved in watering them and became one of a very small number of people who look after the orchards."It's very popular, especially when the fruit comes out - it's even more popular then," he said."We don't actually get to see a lot of the fruit. We love the fact it's an open space, a community space. We get people from outside who see there's some fruit, they'll take the fruit. It's fine, that's what it's there for to be eaten. ""The trees cool the area. Just walk around here and it's a much cooler area than Cable Street or the Highway. In this environment you wouldn't know it's there." London's warming and its trees and their shade help cool the climate although the heatwaves themselves can put native species under Council has also warned people not to sit or congregate under large trees after a rise in the number of falling says there has been an increase of Sudden Branch Drop Syndrome which it says has been made worse by the at the charity Trees for Cities are expecting to see an increase in trees dying or dropping branches as the climate Sadiq Khan plans to increase London's canopy by 10% by 2050. The orchard scheme is seen as a blueprint with other estates now copying the idea. Emma Peet from the charity Trees for Cities said planting in inner London was particularly important."London does have eight million trees but they are not distributed evenly across the city," she said."Tower Hamlets where we are now has only about 8 to 10% canopy coverage but because of this orchard in this estate, it has risen to 19% tree cover. "Making urban forests more equitable and more accessible for communities is all part of it."She added: "Urban forests bring so many benefits from shade on a hot day, biodiversity and the air feels cleaner. It also is an important communal space."
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Seven delicious reasons to splash your cash on fine cider
The word cider doesn't often conjure up a sense of reverence or aspiration. The majority of what's sold in this country is a commodity – the same liquid replicated efficiently throughout the year, just like beer and with an equivalent price point. And yet… while cider volumes in the UK have steadily declined over the last decade, its value continues to creep up thanks to growth within the most premium category. And at its apex lies a micro sub-segment – fine cider. Jump to: The best fine ciders to try Fine cider versus mainstream cider and English wine Why you can trust us Fine cider is a world away from two-litre plastic bottles and 24-can multipacks. It takes its aesthetic and production cues from the world of wine. It's often on the shelves for £10 to £20 but sometimes £30-plus – even higher when served at restaurants – and, when executed with skill, it is worth every single penny. Often presented in a 75cl bottle, fine cider is intended for the table – to be drunk instead of wine; to serve before, during or after a meal; to share with friends; to sip and savour – tempting us to fall headfirst into an enchanting world of rare apple and pear varieties (the latter the raw material for fine perry), lost orchards, clever cider-making techniques and characterful cultural saviours. Luckily, some of the greatest fine ciders in the world are available in the UK. These are some of my favourites:
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Apple and pear growers diversify as Australia's fruit consumption declines
After moving to Australia 19 years ago, Amarinder Bajwa built a career in Melbourne in transport. But four years ago, he left it all behind to pursue his dream of being a farmer in Victoria's Goulburn Valley. "I had no idea about Shepparton, but I came to visit a friend who had just bought a farm here," Mr Bajwa said. "I really liked the weather and the way everything looked really green. "It resembles my home country." Mr Bajwa, who grew up in Punjab in northern India, purchased a fruit orchard in Shepparton East with his brother, but it was not long before it got tough. He lost nearly 70 per cent of his crop to a hailstorm, the orchard was flooded in 2022 and now the state is experiencing drought conditions. Despite all that, Mr Bajwa does not regret making the move. "I feel connected — farming brings communities together, whereas in metros you don't know your next-door neighbours. "The support we've had from the community has been beyond my expectations." Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), which represents growers, said the industry was at a "crossroads" and most producers had not made a profit in the past four years. APAL head of industry, government relations and advocacy Jeremy Griffith said he expected more orchards to be consolidated over the next five years. "Input costs have ramped up dramatically, and supermarkets are not covering those costs," Mr Griffith said. Mr Griffith said APAL's strategy for the next five years would focus on increasing consumer demand for fresh produce. New export markets are opening up in China, but Mr Griffith said the industry really needed Australians to eat more fruit. "Apple consumption has flatlined and we have certainly seen a decline in pear consumption," he said. "We did see, in the last few years, 15 per cent of pear orchards removed." The challenges continue to stack up, but Mr Griffiths said farm succession was one of the biggest concerns for orchardists. "Their kids don't want to take over because they can't really see a future in it," he said. "Working this hard and not being able to make a profit, it's a pretty depressing place for the industry to be in. "It's a tough, tough business … and I'm yet to meet a grower who doesn't work seven days a week." It is Mr Bawja's unsinkable optimism that keeps him in the orchard every day. Mr Bawja is diversifying his crops so he does not have to rely on the income of an annual harvest, including growing broccolini year-round. "This is the third year and we're really happy with the way things are coming up," he said. He also plans to plant more apples and apricots. "We are in the process of pulling old varieties out and replacing them with new varieties," Mr Bajwa said. "They are better looking, better eating quality and better yields
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Thieves target Bay of Plenty orchards for scrap metal
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles Sheet metal from outbuildings and copperwires from frost fans are among some of the things being targeted by thieves for scrap metal amidst an increase on orchard thefts in Bay of Plenty. Te Puke police sergeant Mike Owens said since January they'd had close to 40 such burglaries, adding those were just the ones reported to police. "Items that get targeted are farm vehicles, equipment, tools, diesel from frost fans, other machinery, trailers, solar panels and of course the frost fans also have batteries attached to them as well." He said it was an unfortunately common experience for growers and farmers during the busy harvest season, when many might be travelling between sites or have additional people on-farm. Taking preventative measures was key to deterring these kind of thefts, he said. Things like storing equipment securely away or out of view. "Generally good locks, good security makes it more difficult. "Farmers and orchardists being lovely rural people will tend to leave keys in their vehicle or sheds and equipment unlocked." Owens said some frost fans had been rigged up with sensor lights and alarms which acted as a good deterrence. "I've seen footage where that has immediately deterred, obviously an alarms come one deterred the thief, and off they've gone again." Police recently executed search warrants and recovered a large number of items which they were in the process of returning to their owners. Owens said it was important for growers and farmers to report these kinds of incidents to police. He said it was also helpful to make note of any identifying features of items which might be targeted which might help with recovery efforts.
The Guardian
14-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary: A blossom-laden spring to make up for last year
After five days away near the sun-dazzled Solent, we returned home to a verdant haven. Fruit blossom has dropped with some apples already set; and the 50-year-old Judas tree is covered with purple flowers, vivid against diaphanous beech and swags of native May tree. Before going upcountry, I walked on my mended hip in James Evans and Mary Martin's documented and tended orchard of historic fruit trees (200 apples, 30 cherries and 10 pears). This year's succession of prolific blossom is particularly beautiful, helped by a sunny March, and in such contrast to last year's wet and unproductive spring. Apple is the latest to open, heralded by the large pink and white blooms of the pear apple (Snub Nose). But it is the creamy coloured blossom of pears that came first, including Belle de Bruxelles, now more than 40ft high and laden with blossom to the topmost tips. It was grafted from a twig, cut from an overgrown specimen surviving in the old garden of a pub in nearby Launceston. The spreading Morwellham pear was grafted at the same time from a chance seedling, found growing in the wall of a derelict lime kiln on the Devon bank of the Tamar. Hoverflies dart about its blossom and shiny pale leaves, and there should be a good crop of medium-sized golden-red fruit. The delicate fluffiness of white cherry blossom diminishes among the opening orange-tinged foliage, while avenues of Burcombe, Birchenhayes, Fice, Rumbullion and Smutts form flowering canopies, spread above sturdy trunks. Years of pruning in the winter months has shaped the branches in this maturing orchard to allow occasional mechanical trimming of the flowery sward (sheep were tried at first but they preferred to graze the immature trees). After a three-year dearth of cherries, there is hope for a bumper harvest; perhaps the triple-legged ladders will be erected and another deep freeze needed to store surplus fruit. Further down the valley, in a steep tributary of the Cotehele millstream, the council's Forest for Cornwall are planting a random mix of young trees. Included are old sorts of apples and cherries that will add diversity and mystery to this expanse of future woodland. Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
