Update: Wheathampstead’s Community Orchard

There are 26 fruit trees in the orchard, with two of each of these native Hertfordshire varieties, which were developed at the dates and places shown. They were planted in January 2014. They are on MM106 rootstocks so will grow to a height and width of about four metres. They will be ready for picking in September and October, the date varying between the different varieties.

Apple
Brownlees Russet (Hemel Hempstead 1848)
Thomas Rivers (Sawbridgeworth 1892)
Rivers St Martins (Sawbridgeworth 1896)
Crimson Newton Wonder (Holwell 1921)
Bushey Grove (Bushey 1926)
Young’s Pinello (Letchworth 1935)
Fairie Queen (Ware Park 1937)
Dawn (Ware Park 1940)
Gavin (Bayfordbury 1956)

Pear
Fertility (Sawbridgeworth 1875)
Conference (Sawbridgeworth 1875)
Parrot (Sawbridgeworth 1895)
Saint Luke (Sawbridgeworth 1897)

The three mature apple trees are at least 70 years old. They were planted by Arthur Wren, manager of the sewage works.

For more information, please contact the Meads ranger, Patrick McNeill, at mcneillpw@btinternet.com or 07718 068575, or the Parish Council office.