TRADITIONAL ORCHARDS FOR THE FUTURE INITIATIVE (TOFI)

Working alongside our partners, the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we are delighted to continue to run the Traditional Orchards for the Future Initiative (TOFI) scheme for a third year during 2022.

Traditional orchards (defined as 'groups of at least five fruit and nut trees planted on vigorous rootstocks at low densities in permanent grassland and managed in a low intensity way') are a big part of our local landscape and heritage.

Recognising the value that traditional orchards bring to both people and nature the initiative provides the opportunity for landowners to acquire new trees and tree protection, obtain free advice and free help to plant trees. In return landowners are responsible for providing a suitable planting location, selecting the fruit trees and taking care of them after planting.

The aim is to provide new trees to extend or to gap up existing traditional orchards in order that they continue to exist and thrive. 

In addition, starting this year, we hope to have grant money available to fund the restoration of existing trees - by helping with major tree pruning work, or mistletoe management of fruit trees.

We are inviting applications from the 1st March 2022. To be eligible you need to be the landowner of non-garden land and be willing to plant at least five traditional orchard trees. Priority will be given to sites in the Parish of Colwall but we may consider applications elsewhere within the 

Malvern Hills AONB.

For more information and an application form please email us at members@colwallorchardgroup.org or phone Wendy on 07544 530017.