Small orchards of mixed fruit trees were a part of almost every farm or small holding a century ago. Orchards of mixed trees usually with grazed pasture beneath them have been replaced over the years with other farm crops or rows of small, high yield trees. These traditional style orchards exist now only as small patches within the farmed landscape.
While only small and scattered orchards exist in the National Park, they can be important areas for wildlife. Often the trees are old and are covered in mosses and lichens some of which are now scarce as they live only on old trees.
The large number of flowers available when the trees are in blossom can be an important food source for bees and other insects. Often where orchards remain, the land around is also of high value to wildlife as it may have existed like this for many years.
Old hedges and trees that surround the orchard have not been removed and the grassland beneath the trees has never been ploughed or fertilised, meaning that many wildflowers and fungi may live amongst the fruit trees.
Advice on the management of Orchards in Powys is available from the Perllanau Powys Project.
Explore more grassland and farmland habitats by using the navigation bar on the left or go back to Biodiversity in the National Park
Thursdy 27 March 2008
News updatefind out what's new in the Park
Popular waterfall reopensThe path behind Sgywd yr Eira has re-opened