All things apple-y

Laughter and conversation filled Wolvercote’s Community Orchard on Apple Day 2023, even managing to drown the persistent rumble of the A34. Organised by the Wolvercote Tree Group, the event is the culmination of a full season’s volunteering, starting in January with a wassail – drinking the health of the trees – then pruning, de-bugging, scything, collecting, juicing and bottling (and juicing and bottling).

The annual celebration of all things apple-y, beloved by the community, involves many people and a lot of organisation. For this we thank Orchard Manager Jo Malden, the Tree Group Committee and all the volunteers.

The proceeds go towards maintaining the orchard, equipment, infrastructure, and boundaries, as well as our broader remit – to preserve, protect and plant these guardians of our environment. It’s also the day we present our landlords, Oxford Preservation Trust, with our annual rent of a basket of apples.

Trees, hedges, and shrubs are a vital part of our natural world, making an important contribution to mitigating the effects of global warming. We support the call to double tree cover, replacing trees and shrubs lost to housing developments and infrastructure projects. Everyone, even with the smallest plot of land, can contribute.

National Tree Week 2023 takes place between 25 November and 3 December. Learn more at https://treecouncil.org.uk/seasonal-campaigns/national-tree-week/ or on the Tree Group website
https://wolvercotetreegroup.org/