New Heritage Orchard Planted At Havenstreet To Boost Biodiversity

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is supporting biodiversity and the creation of new green spaces by planting a heritage orchard at Havenstreet.

The project, delivered in partnership with Wight Nature Fund and Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Council, has seen trees planted in the railway’s overflow car park, thanks to funding from The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund.

Branching Out provides grants of between £250 and £2,500 to community groups, schools and charities to help establish trees, hedgerows and orchards during the winter planting season.

Local charity Wight Nature Fund, which administers the Isle of Wight Tree Warden Network, worked with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to secure the funding.

A community planting day was held on Saturday 7 February, with strong support from local volunteers and volunteers from the Steam Railway.

The Chair of Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Council, Tony Barry, attended the event, representing the Parish Council’s Tree Warden Scheme and also in his role as a Trustee of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

He praised the initiative, saying it would enrich the local environment while helping to preserve heritage fruit varieties.

Among the trees planted was a ‘Howgate Wonder’ apple tree, a heritage variety first raised in Bembridge in 1915 and known for producing some of the heaviest apples in the UK.

Councillor Glynn Brasington, a Bembridge Tree Warden and keen tree enthusiast, helped plant the tree.

Another local variety added to the orchard was ‘Steyne Seedling’, first cultivated in 1893. The apple is described as juicy and sweet, with a strong aroma and flavour.

While it may take four or five years for the trees to bear fruit, the spring blossom is expected to attract pollinating insects and improve the appearance of what was previously an empty field.

Despite rainy conditions on the day, volunteers said they were already looking forward to the trees providing shade for summer picnics in years to come.

Chair of Wight Nature Fund, Steve Cowley, thanked everyone involved, saying appreciation also went to The Tree Council for funding the project and to volunteers for their hard work.

Now in its 18th year, the Branching Out programme has supported hundreds of projects across the UK, creating new wildlife habitats and long-lasting green spaces for communities and visitors to enjoy.

The Tree Council says the scheme focuses on planting a variety of tree species, with guidance provided on tree selection and protection as part of the grant process.

Grants Officer Geraldine Creaven said Branching Out gives communities a chance to “get their spades in the ground” and establish trees and orchards that enhance biodiversity.

More information about the Branching Out Fund can be found on The Tree Council’s website.