The trees are planted a a low density of 110 to the acre on vigorous rootstocks so will produce an orchard halfway between the old standard orchards and a modern bush orchard. Now 11 years old the trees are cropping heavily, the photographs are of a Browns Apple in flower and fruit in 2001.
We practice a minimal management regime, the apples receive one insecticide spray a year and the cider apples, up to 2 fungicide sprays. We have now allowed the grass to grow up to the trees, removing the need for a weedkiller strip. The grass in the orchard is unfertilised
Our orchard is at Stanhoe, 10 miles SW of Wells. We have 10 acres of cider apple trees and a further 3 acres of apples suitable for juicing. The 8 varieties of cider apples we grow are listed below. In addition we have 153 perry pear trees and a dozen old Norfolk varieties for fun.
