2007 Orchard Survey

In 2007, ODG commissioned a survey of orchards in the Borders from botanist Louise Seed.

She collected information from 34 orchard owners who expressed an interest in ODG and this has produced important information that will help us to understand the type of organisation that would be most useful to a developing fruit economy.

The owners were asked to indicate the location, size and approximate age of their orchards, the numbers and types of fruit trees, and an assessment of their current fruit yields and use.

The main conclusions include the following:

• most orchard owners were intested in what ODG could offer them, particularly in respect of correct pruning and maintenance
• all were intested in preserving and learning about old and rare varieties
• most were aware of and interested in the significant wildlife associated with their orchards
• much fruit is going to waste and most owners would like to see it used more productively
• there is potential to collaborate with local businesses

These will be taken into account as we undertake our task.

"Most [Borders] orchards on 19th Century maps have disappeared ... "     (Louise Seed, Borders Orchard Report for ODG, 2007)