In Pictures: Orchards under threat

The National Trust says 60% of England's traditional orchards have disappeared since the 1950s as a result of small producers developing or changing the use of the land

Many rare varieties of fruit - some unique to localities - are under threat as a result of the decline in orchards. Apples, like these examples of the Pitmaston fine variety, pears and plums are affected

The decline in orchards is having an effect on rare species of wildlife, such as the lesser spotted woodpecker, which needs the habitat fruit trees provide

Insects - such as this longhorn beetle - thrive in the conditions created in traditional orchards, and many are crucial to creatures further up the food chain

Not only birds and insects thrive in the shelter provided by traditional orchards. Rare fungi, such as these waxcaps, can also be found in some areas

While environmentalists are concerned about the UK's declining honey bee population, orchards remain a good source of much-needed pollen and nectar

Bullfinches are among the birds which can be found in areas with orchards, along with song thrushes, spotted flycatchers, tree sparrows, turtle doves and house sparrows

Visitors to National Trust sites with traditional orchards in south-west England might spot unusual plants such as this corky-fruited water dropwort

Back

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Next