Worcestershire fruit growers branch out into mistletoe and holly
Picture: David Spilsbury holding a bunch of mistletoe from his orchard
Mistletoe and holly by the hundredweight is making its way from a Worcestershire orchard to markets all over the Midlands.
David and Joyce Spilsbury of Oak Hill in the Terne Valley near Tenbury Wells, joined Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) in 1996 to restore their traditional apple orchards. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant with no roots of its own and lives off the tree that it attaches itself to.It grows most commonly on apple trees, and thrives in the Spilsburys' carefully and sensitively managed orchards. The female mistletoe with its bright white berries is in great demand from market traders across the region, while much of the berryless male mistletoe is fed to grazing sheep.
Under CSS, David Spilsbury has re-introduced the 100 different varieties of apple trees that grew in the orchard 150 years ago; and has added damson and cherry trees to the 25 different types of plum and pear trees already grown. Rare species of pear trees have been re-introduced, including the Worcester Black pear that stays fresh and firm over winter.
Restoration of the traditional orchard, meadow maintenance and hedgerow restoration has encouraged birds, wildlife and wild flowers. Wild birds include jackdaws, kingfishers, 'dabbly ducks' (little grebe), herons and three different species of woodpecker.
Wild flowers include the Common Spotted Orchid. Trees and hedgerows play host to many rare or declining species of fungi and a whole range of insects.
David has also re-introduced a small herd of fallow deer, which occupied the land when it was a deer park 700 years ago.
David Spilsbury said:
"Our environment and the countryside has a richness beyond financial consideration. We all have a responsibility to uphold the traditional values and standards that have ensured the survival of past, present and future generations.
Trina Collins, an adviser at Defra's Rural Development Service in the West Midlands, said:
"Mr and Mrs Spilsbury display a passionate empathy with the land and sympathetically manage it with the help of Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
"Defra is pleased to be able to contribute to that important process for the benefit of the region. Such valuable input from agreement holders is helping us to form new policies and develop schemes for 2005 and beyond."
