Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, near Yate and Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire.


The Nature Reserve is run by the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, a small group of volunteers.

Sunday, July 01, 2012

Orchard for the Future - successful tree pruning workshop


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We had an excellent workshop this morning pruning the old plum trees in front of the Wapley cottages. The trees hadn't been tended for many years, but we've managed to make a visible difference.

The workshop was led by local expert Graham White - Mr Fruit - and paid for by Dodington Parish Council. Graham explained to us that stone fruit should be pruned in the summer. Other fruit such as apple trees should be pruned in the winter, and Graham explained what we will need to do to look after the trees we planted last year.

The old trees in this small area are local varieties such as as Frampton Magnum plums. The new trees - most of which are on Wapley Common - are also local heritage varieties of apples, plums and other fruits.

Last year's new tree planting was financed by South Gloucestershire Council, organised by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, and carried out by local volunteers - a real community project.

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