Most traditional orchards around our village have been lost.
We wish to encourage local residents to plant a range of fruit trees in their gardens and paddocks.
Environment Group can offer local residents a grant of £15-£25 per tree.
Contact: phil.stone7@btinternet.com
Interested? Please read on:
Fruit tree planting grant
Introduction
Maps of the area from the past century show that, as with many other Somerset communities, our villages were ringed with sizeable orchards which provided cider for the agricultural economy and included a wide range of other fruit trees which were used as a key part of the farmhouse diet.
There is a recognition within NCEG that while the loss of the traditional standard orchards around the villages is unlikely to be addressed as there is a general surplus of cider apples and little incentive to restore commercial orchards.
Why fruit tree planting is appropriate.
There is scope however to encourage residents to plant a range of fruit trees in their gardens and paddocks for their own use and the opportunity to share produce with neighbors and friends at harvest time.
This would help to restore the biodiversity benefits which orchards provide, help make the village environment more attractive and of course provide healthy, organic fruit and fruit juices which are not readily available from shops.
Our Offer
NCEG would offer residents a grant of £15- £25 per tree to plant a range of fruit trees. The number of trees which could be grant aided would be limited to five trees in the first year.
Applicants will be offered a visit by NCEG to give advice about tree location, planting and protection. You can do your own research about the varieties of fruit trees you want and then apply for up to 5 trees on a short application form provided by NCEG. If the proposal is accepted a grant offer would be made with simple conditions attached that they care for the trees.
Once the planting is completed an inspection will be carried out and the grant paid.
