Community Orchard

This orchard, close to the children's play equipment in the south of the park (by the Bournville Road entrance) was planted in 2011 for the benefit of the local community.  
Originally, 35 trees had been arranged in seven rows, each for a different variety. The mature trees now stand between 3 to 5 metres tall.  Unfortunately, some trees had been lost and other varieties took their place, giving the us the current arrangement of 32 trees shown on the plan below.  

If you would like to get involved in tending or pruning these trees please contact ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk.



Apples
  • Fiesta - a dessert apple, raised in 1972 by Dr. Alston in Kent, has a cox-like favour.  Pick late September.
  • Herefordshire Russet - a dessert apple, raised in 1975 by Mr Ermen in Kent.  Fruits are crisp with a sweet flavour.  Pick late September.
  • Scrumptious - an early dessert apple raised by Mr. Ermen in 1980 in Kent.  A sweet flavour with hints of strawberry.  Pick end of August.
  • Rosemary Russet - a late dessert apple, first recorded in 1831 in Middlesex. The fruits are juicy with an excellent sharp but sweet flavour. Ready to pick early to mid October.
  • James Grieve - a dual use apple from Edinburgh which was first recorded in 1893. Its apples are very sharp early in the season but mellow without losing flavour by December. Pick early to mid September.
  • Ellison's Orange - a dessert apple from Lincolnshire which came from a Cox cross. It was first recorded in 1904 and used to be commercially available. It has a distinctive flavour, developing an aniseed taste by the end of October. Pick mid- Late September. 

Pears
  • Concorde - a dessert pear raised in 1977 in Kent.  Sweet juicy fruits, similar to conference pear.  Pick end of September.
  • Merton Pride (also known as Merton Favourite) - a dessert pear introduced in 1959, with very fine flesh and good flavour.  Pick early September.

Cherries
  • Morello - a sour cherry with deep crimson to black fruits.  Very old variety, which became popular in England in the 16th Century.  Pick end of August.
  • Bradbourne Black - A sweet eating cherry from Kent, raised in 1950s.  Large dark crimson fruits that are very flavourful.  Pick early August.

Plums
  • Victoria - first found in a garden in Sussex and introduced widely about 1840.  Medium fruits which can be eaten or used for cooking.  Pick late August - early September.
  • Marjorie’s Seedling - found as a chance seedling at a Berkshire farm in 1912. The fruit can be picked as late as October.