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As a last step in our search, we asked volunteers to check the promising historical orchard locations to see if there are still fruit trees. Read on for more about groundtruthing.
As a last step in our search, we asked volunteers to check the promising historical orchard locations to see if there are still fruit trees. Read on for more about groundtruthing.
Groundtruthing is a fancy word for checking a location in person. In our instance, we wanted to know if there were remnants of old orchards left in Luton.
To survey a location, volunteers:
checked the shortlist
visited the location
submitted their findings
Shortlist of 34 promising locations with results - although some still need checking
Shortlist of 34 promising locations with results - although some still need checking
Over the spring and summer of 2024, we asked people to help us check if there are still fruit trees at these location today. So far our ground truthers are: David M, Gill O, Laura C, Konni D, David L, Darshini MP and Pam F. You can still get involved - read on for instructions.
Last udpated on: 7 October 2024: locations that still need checking are now highlighted in yellow on the map
ArchAI4287182 - map link - Stockwood Park - Result: negative, no fruit trees left on site, 24/07/24 - GO
ArchAI791382 - map link - Butterfield Green Road - Result:
BEDF_Hist1700 - map link - Matalan, Castle Street - Result: positive but only one fig tree on area of Our Lady Help of Christians car park - GO
BEDF_Hist439 - map link - Jonathan Henry Place - Result: negative - LC
BEDF_Hist447 - map link - Nunnery Lane - Result:
BEDF_Hist448 - map link - Nunnery Lane - Result:
BEDF_Hist454 - map link - Butterfield Green Road - Result: positive, some veteran trees remaining - KD
BEDF_Hist457 - map link - near Marsh House - Result: negative - KD
BEDF_Hist77 - map link - Ruthin Close - Result: negative - GO
BEDF_Hist82 - map link - Coop Club, Stockingstone Road - Result: positive, cherry, plum and gage found. Possibly remaining apple trees in nearby back gardens. Further investigation planned (visit to a house backing on to the site) - KD and DM
BEDF_Hist83 - map link - Farley Hill - near Wolston Close - Result: negative - DMP
LO106 - map link - Anthony Gardens - Result:
LO108 - map link - Trowbridge Gardens - Result: negative, but there are 3 veteran fruit trees nearby on Cowridge End Meadow
LO113 - map link - near Bradgers Hill - Result:
LO114 - map link - Clinton Avenue - Result: negative - DM
LO118 - map link - near Hayhurst Road - Result: may have been recently demolished? TBC
LO119 - map link - Lothair Road - Result:
LO131 - map link - Gayland Avenue - Result:
LO133 - map link - Hitchin Road - Result: negative -DM
LO135 - map link - Compton Ave/Capron Rd - Result:
LO140 - map link - Arundel Road - Result:
LO144 - map link - Tenby Drive - Result:
LO146 - map link - Tenby Drive - Result:
LO147 - map link - Bishopscote Road - Result: fruit trees confirmed - now partially domestic garden with new plantings including fig, pear, apple, approx. 20 years old and older plums (possibly suckers). PF/DL
LO148 - map link - Kingsley Road - Result: negative - KD. This looked incredibly promising, but we could not see fruit trees on the site. However, a nearby back garden has a lovely veteran Annie Elisabeth apple tree.
LO153 - map link - Howard Close
LO159 - map link - Gardenia Avenue
LO160 - map link - Gardenia Avenue
LO170 near Kilns - map link - Hitchin Road - Result: negative -DM
LO171 near People's Park - map link - Clarendon Road - Result: looks very promising.
LO187 Stockwood Park - map link - Result: fruit trees confirmed (new plantings, approx. 40 years old).
LO202 Jolly Topers - map link - Result: positive - cherry tree, age unknown - DM
LO203 Leagrave Strange Fm - map link - Leagrave High Street - Result:
LO207 Holy Tri Grav - map link - Trinity Road - Result: negative within outline of LO207, but plum trees at back end of graveyard - PF
Key to colours:
Key to colours:
Green: confirmed positive match: fruit trees found
Red: confirmed negative match: no fruit trees found
Black: not groundtruthed yet
Key to Orchard ID codes:
Key to Orchard ID codes:
LO stands for Luton Orchards
LOA stands for Luton Orchards Adjacent, which means they're just outside the current municipal town boundary
ArchAI stands for Luton Orchards that were identified using an image recognition software tool as part of a previous project (Orchards East)
BEDF_ Hist stands for Luton Orchards that were identified as part of a previous project (Orchards East)
18 locations just outside the Luton town boundary
18 locations just outside the Luton town boundary
These locations are currently outside the scope of the search. But if you're interested, here they are!
LOA02 Home Farm - map link
LOA03 Home Farm - map link
LOA19 Luton Hoo WG - map link
LOA38 Woods Baptist C - map link
LOA28 Slip End- map link
LOA29 Slip End- map link
LOA30 Slip End- map link
LOA32 Slip End- map link
LOA33 Slip End- map link
LOA20 Pepperstock - map link
LOA42 Wandon End - map link
LOA43 Chalton - map link
LOA45 Chalton - map link
LOA46 Chalton - map link
LOA47 Chalton - map link
Promising locations map
Promising locations map
Instructions for groundtruthing
Instructions for groundtruthing
You can still help us check for remaining orchards at the locations that were historically mapped as orchards.
Start by checking the orchard location using the links and the Google map on this page.
Visit the location in person (no trespassing, please). Are there still fruit trees present? These may be visibly old trees (with trunks as broad as a bucket) or newly planted. If you think it's a fruit tree, let us know. Likewise, if there is nothing left in terms of fruit trees at this location, let us know that it's a negative match.
Report the results back to us.
How to report your result
How to report your result
Use the online reporting form or download the paper form. Alternatively, contact konni@lutonorchards.org.
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