Traditional orchards as defined in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat Description (2007) are another type of mixed habitat. Although dominated by a mixture of planted fruit and nut bearing tree species they also support other associated habitats such as meadows, scrub and ponds. Traditional orchards can easily be distinguished from other wooded habitats based on the preponderance of domestic fruit and nut species: apple, plum, pear, damson, cherry, walnut and cobnut. Only in a very few cases will there be a significant number of other tree species in a traditional orchard, unless the orchard is becoming woodland through neglect. Traditional orchards, as distinct from non-traditional orchards are defined for UK BAP priority habitat purposes as orchards managed in a low intensity way. They contrast with orchards managed intensively for fruit production, where there are inputs of chemicals such as pesticides and inorganic fertilisers, frequent mowing of the orchard floor rather than grazing or cutting for hay, and planting of short-lived, high-density, dwarf or bush fruit trees (stems generally 75 cms or less). The simplest visual indicator of intensive management is the presence of herbicided strips along the tree rows, where the ground is generally bare or with some annual plant regrowth, contrasting with the permanent grassland of the between-row spaces. Spacing of trees in traditional orchard can vary quite widely from around 3 m to over 20 m between trees. There is some overlap of density of planting with intensive orchards but planting densities < 3m are generally likely to be intensive and therefore to be excluded from the definition. Selection Criteria and Attributes Selection criteria and attributes for parkland and wood pasture Local Wildlife Sites. CRITERION ATTRIBUTE Size or extent Area of site (ha) Rare or exceptional features Presence of rare saproxylic fungi Presence of saproxylic invertebrates found which are listed in the Index of Ecological Continuity. Presence of lichens found listed in the Revised Index of Ecological Continuity Diversity Diversity of habitats (number of habitats and structural diversity) within the site and/or species groups. Number of veteran trees and quantity of standing & fallen dead-wood material Availability of varied nectar sources Naturalness Presence of native veteran trees Absence of ploughing and/or fertiliser input Absence of intensive grazing Typicalness Presence of habitat and/or species characteristic of parkland & wood pasture
Traditional orchards as defined in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat Description (2007) are another type of mixed habitat. Although dominated by a mixture of planted fruit and nut bearing tree species they also support other associated habitats such as meadows, scrub and ponds. Traditional orchards can easily be distinguished from other wooded habitats based on the preponderance of domestic fruit and nut species: apple, plum, pear, damson, cherry, walnut and cobnut. Only in a very few cases will there be a significant number of other tree species in a traditional orchard, unless the orchard is becoming woodland through neglect. Traditional orchards, as distinct from non-traditional orchards are defined for UK BAP priority habitat purposes as orchards managed in a low intensity way. They contrast with orchards managed intensively for fruit production, where there are inputs of chemicals such as pesticides and inorganic fertilisers, frequent mowing of the orchard floor rather than grazing or cutting for hay, and planting of short-lived, high-density, dwarf or bush fruit trees (stems generally 75 cms or less). The simplest visual indicator of intensive management is the presence of herbicided strips along the tree rows, where the ground is generally bare or with some annual plant regrowth, contrasting with the permanent grassland of the between-row spaces. Spacing of trees in traditional orchard can vary quite widely from around 3 m to over 20 m between trees. There is some overlap of density of planting with intensive orchards but planting densities < 3m are generally likely to be intensive and therefore to be excluded from the definition. Selection Criteria and Attributes Selection criteria and attributes for parkland and wood pasture Local Wildlife Sites. CRITERION ATTRIBUTE Size or extent Area of site (ha) Rare or exceptional features Presence of rare saproxylic fungi Presence of saproxylic invertebrates found which are listed in the Index of Ecological Continuity. Presence of lichens found listed in the Revised Index of Ecological Continuity Diversity Diversity of habitats (number of habitats and structural diversity) within the site and/or species groups. Number of veteran trees and quantity of standing & fallen dead-wood material Availability of varied nectar sources Naturalness Presence of native veteran trees Absence of ploughing and/or fertiliser input Absence of intensive grazing Typicalness Presence of habitat and/or species characteristic of parkland & wood pasture
240216%20WY%20Local%20Sites%20Selection%20Criteria%2021-01-2016%20RM.docx