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The
Orchard

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Wait, there's an Orchard at The Square?

Well, technically no. What we currently have are four young Apple Trees. These can be found beside the western driveway path. They were planted to replace the one apple tree that had to be felled after the 2019 tree survey discovered the tree to be in a very poor state of health.

Thankfully the tree was replaced with the four that surround it. This is what is considered The Orchard.

So, are we going to get Apples & can the public pick them?

Hopefully. When, we cannot say as they are young trees. When they do finally start to emerge we do not want the public to just start picking them as we need to follow the guidelines below (see Important Information). Once the trees have established themselves then they will become a Community Orchard, just like the ones at Bute Green, Cosmeston L&CP and other places around Penarth.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

When a young fruit tree bears its first fruit, there are some important things that must be done, not only to ensure the future success of the tree, but also that it grows in a way that helps to both shape it and support it.

One of the ways to do this is to not allow the apples to grow two large until the branches have had time to strengthen themselves enough to be able to hold a suitable shape. Apples and other similar fruit of course get heavier as they grow, which in turn will add more weight to the branches, dragging them downwards.

In order to counter this we will be having to remove much of the fruit early (and when it is under ripe). For how many years we will have to do this is uncertain, but as apple trees can be biennial (every other year), this process may take several years for each tree before we have them in a sustainable form.

When will we see our first apples?

Unknown. The trees are still relatively young an have only been planted in 2020. We may get fruit in 2022, but this is uncertain. We will just have to wait and see. When usable apples are available we will do what we can to offer them to The Public.

Accessibility

The Orchard is in a grassed area, but is just beside the path.

How you should help to protect it.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE TREES
PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB THE TREES
PLEASE DO NOT PICK ANY FRUIT THAT THEY MAY BEAR. 
We will do this as per the reason above.

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