creating new community orchards in macclesfield

What we are doing

Macc Wild Network secured some funding from the Co-Op Local Community Fund to plant a number of new community orchards in and around Macclesfield. Each orchard will be made up of 10-20 native fruit trees such as apple, pear and damson. Around the orchard trees we are leaving the grass long and sowing wildflower seeds to create nature-rich habitats.

Why?

Mature orchards form incredibly rich and diverse eco systems for plants, birdlife and insects - not to mention the beauty that we all appreciate. Our orchards will take a few years until they fully mature, but we hope to see rapid development of the habitats over the coming months an years.

How can I help ?

Apart from the planting of the trees there are many maintenance activities required to give nature a helping hand. These include watering the trees in hot weather (at least until they get established) grass cutting and pruning. We will advertise planned activities as they are confirmed. Alternatively drop us a line using the Contact Us page and we will keep you posted!

Orchards update

Pavilions Orchard, Victoria Road

Adding to the community orchard planted at the leisure centre in 2022, we created another orchard at the Pavilions just off of Victoria Road in Macclesfield. We started in the summer of 2023 by creating an area of wildflower meadow and then later in the autumn we planted around 20 native fruit trees. In 2024 we have seen the fruits of our labour! The meadow is doing well and the trees are thriving. Luckily the moist conditions we have "enjoyed" so far this year have helped both the trees and the meadow to establish themselves well.

As part of our strategy to create joined up green spaces for nature, this new site is just a short bee-flight from both the Cricket Club further down Victoria Road and St Albans school on Priory Lane!

We will be scything the meadow later in the summer, so if you see us, please come and say hello.