Introduction

The Cotehele Estate was the home of the Edgcumbe family for some 600 years, before being acquired by the National Trust in 1947.

There are around 5.3 hectares (13 acres) of orchard under the care of Gardens Team at Cotehele. Over the winter of 2007 / 2008 a new orchard, 'Mother Orchard' was planted. It was planted to serve as a gene pool to protect local varieties that have become under increasing threat as orchards decline. In the orchard there are120 varieties of predominantly Cornish and Devonshire apple and 270 trees over 3.24ha (8 acres), now the largest orchard on the estate. These trees will act as 'stock' or 'Mother' trees from which the National Trust can propagate to disperse to other properties and make available for retail in the region to stabilise the populations.

Orchards in the Tamar Valley

Cotehele house and gardens are situated on the steep banks of the river Tamar. The sheltered environment provides a mild climate for growing market garden crops and because of the generally mild climate and high rainfall the Valley has a long and rich history associated with horticulture. Crops were initially grown to provide food for the local smallholders who sold their surplus produce to markets.

Early developments of the industry came from the demand for apples to produce cider, which was taken on board sea-faring ships in great quantities and was favoured over water for its ability to keep well. The Devonport area was developing into an important naval port, which relied heavily on local cider producers. Apple trees were grown in vast, informal orchards on both sides of the river. Reports from 1796 describe the beauty of the valley and its unkempt orchards, full of pink and white blossom from the cherry and apple trees. The oldest orchard site at Cotehele is pre 1731 and is the most established to date.

Many apple varieties remind us of this history and create a strong sense of local identity. Some are named after those who bred them or their place of origin. 'Hocking's Green' is a variety bred by Mr Hocking, a market gardener at Coad's Green in the valley around 1860 and 'Colloggett Pippin' named where it was bred (Colloggett Farm, Botus Flemming) illustrate just two. Fruit enthusiasts James Evans and Mary Martin have been collecting many of these varieties since 1982, and have generously donated graft material to the National Trust in order to establish the 'Mother Orchard'.

Aim of the Mother Orchard

The primary function of this orchard is to serve as a permanent point of reference for a heritage collection of over 100 predominantly Cornish and Devonshire apple varieties that have been traditionally grown in the region. As the trees mature and produce fruit we want them to serve as a living reference point for both people wishing to plant a single tree on a domestic level to those looking to plant orchards on a larger scale. On visiting the Mother Orchard at Cotehele visitors are able to assess for themselves first hand the vigour and health of the trees, as well as see and sample the fruits.

Once the trees are established Cotehele will work closely with the National Trusts 'Plant Conservation Programme' at Knightshayes to propagate from the trees in the orchard, which will act as 'Stock' or 'Mother' trees. These trees can then be dispersed to other National Trust properties to reduce the vulnerability of less widely available varieties. In the longer term we wish to supply trees the public through National Trust Plant Centres or for the public to be able to order them direct.

Community Involvement

The planting of the new 'Mother Orchard' provided a great opportunity for the local community to get involved with the project. The trees were made available for adoption. Sponsors were invited to come and plant to celebrate a personal special occasion such as a wedding anniversary or present it as a gift to family or friends for birthdays, christenings and alike. Over 130 trees were sponsored

A 19th century cider press is also being relocated to the site of the orchard so the process of traditional apple pressing can be demonstrated on 'Pressing Days'. This will be in addition to our ever popular wassail and apple days.

The produce from our existing orchard is made into apple juice which is sold in the shop and restaurant. Last year (2007) Cotehele's apples juice was presented with a 'Fine Farm Produce Award'. The orchards at Cotehele have always been managed traditionally without the use of pesticides, and the orchards are currently undergoing organic conversion.

In additional to work in orchards at the properties, the National Trust is currently working with partners to develop the Biodiversity Action Plan for orchards nationwide. This involves devising a strategy to monitor the extent and state of the country's orchards, and decide the best action to take to primarily halt the decline to preserve & conserve them.