Orchard classroom
2 September 2010
A newly-planted orchard in the grounds of a Fife agricultural college is helping save Scotland's ancient fruit varieties as well as becoming an outdoor classroom allowing students to study fruit production.
The Forestry Commission approached Elmwood College to create a model orchard, run along organic lines and drawing on research into specific apple and pear varieties grown in Scotland in the past. Studies include work on how best to use some of the oldest varieties, as much of the knowledge passed down through generations has now been lost.
'There was a need to identify all those interesting old-fashioned varieties that made the Carse of Gowrie and the Newburgh area of North Fife important in the production of top fruit in the past,' said lecturer Iain Hunter. 'It was felt that before these trees and the associated knowledge was lost forever, action should be taken.'
- Initial varieties planted include two cider apples, 'Mitchelin' and 'Yarlington Mill'
- 500 rootstocks will be stooled and used as a propagation bed.
- As the orchard develops, other old local varieties will be planted, such as the 400-year-old 'Arbroath Pippin', Victorian cooking apple 'Stirling Castle' and deep red dessert apple 'The Bloody Ploughman'.
A hedge of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) has been used to surround the 0.73 ha (1.8 acre) orchard for its wildlife value and for its bumper crop of sloes in autumn.
Further plans include cordon and espalier frames to allow students to work with other tree management systems.