People's Park community orchard

Planted in 2019 and 2021, this orchard enjoys a sunny spot near the Green Flag on Bell's Close, on the Havelock Road side of the People’s Park. It contains 27 trees, including vigorous varieties on M25 rootstock supplied by Orchards East. It includes favourite heritage apple varieties such as Egremont Russet and plums including Aylesbury Prune and Marjorie's Seedling.

Summary

History

The information board at the orchard cites that 'the orchard was planted in 2019 with the help of local volunteers including Edible High Town and Friends of High Town to provide fruit for the community, increase the area's biodiversity and add more tree cover to the park.' 

The newly planted trees seen from the south. 
An early loss - a tree being bent over its stake. Otherwise this method of staking has worked well to establish the trees. 
Photo: K. Deppe. The site just after planting, seen from the north on 8 December 2019. 
People's Park community orchard in July 2023. 
Apple James Grieve in Blossom on 18 April 2024. 
2024 blossom brunch in April
Morning sun over the orchard. 

Types of crops and known cultivars at this orchard

This orchard contains apples, plums and pears on vigorous rootstocks which were planted in 2019 as well as some semi vigorous trees of local Bedfordshire varieties that were added in 2022. The later additions are not included on the interpretation board. 

Tag   Planting year Type Cultivar Rootstock

TBC 2019 Damson (Prunus) Aylesbury Prune St. Julien A

TBC 2022 Apple Beauty of Bedford MM106

TBC 2022 Apple Bedfordshire Foundling MM106

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Blenheim Orange M25 

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Bramley ‘Original’ M25 

TBC 2019 Gage (Prunus) Cambridge Brompton

TBC 2019 Gage (Prunus) Coes Golden Drop St Julien A

TBC 2019 Pear (Pyrus) Concorde Kirchensaller 

TBC 2019 Pear (Pyrus) Conference Kirchensaller

TBC 2022 Apple Court Pendu Plat MM106

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Egremont Russet M25

TBC 2019 Pear (Pyrus) Humbug (Stripy) Kirchensaller

TBC 2019 Apple Malus James Grieve M25 

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) King’s Acre Pippin M25

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Lady Henniker M25

TBC 2022 Apple Laxton's Exquisite MM106

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Laxton’s Superb M25

TBC 2022 Apple Laxtons Royalty MM106

TBC 2019 Plum (Prunus) Marjories’ Seedling Blush VVA-1 

TBC 2019 Damson (Prunus) Merryweather Brompton

TBC 2022 Apple Pam's Delight MM106

TBC 2019 Plum (Prunus) Purple Pershore Brompton

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Ribston Pippin MM106

TBC 2022 Apple Rushmere Embroidered MM111

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) St Edmund’s Russet M25 

TBC 2019 Pear (Pyrus) William’s Bon Chretien Kirchensaller

TBC 2019 Apple (Malus) Worcester Pearmain M25

The interpretation board - you can see the original at the western corner of the orchard. Sadly it was vandalised in October 2024. Identifying trees using the board alone is quite hard, but the older the trees get, the easier it should become. We've labelled individual trees using earwig hotels hung up in the trees. Later additions of trees are not included on this board. The interpretation board was designed by a skilled volunteer. 
Fruitlets of the 'Humbug' pear showing the distinctive stripes. 
Most of the trees are on vigorous rootstocks such as M25 - and it served them well in on the chalky ground in People's Park. 

Maintenance and pruning

The orchard is looked after by Friends of People's Park, Edible High Town, and others during the monthly litter pick. 

First Aid on vandalised branches
First Aid on vandalised branches
Summer pruning course on stone fruit with Sal - 28 July 2022
Edible High Town volunteers at the orchard.
Enjoying a glass of apple juice after a morning's work. 
Mulching in progress - information board showing the donut shape that we aim for, to keep the tree trunk clear. 

Do you want to help care for this orchard? 

Luton's orchards need your help. If you'd like to find out more about how to volunteer at this or any orchard, we would love to hear from you. Sign up for our mailing list or send us a message.