Orchard To Flourish in Hanwell

Volunteers wanted to plant and care for native fruit trees

A new ‘fruit route'' is being created along the canal in Hanwell.

The Hanwell and Norwood Green Orchard Trail group is a community project started by residents, supported and organised in partnership with Ealing Council, to plant and care for a trail of native fruit trees.

Around 40 mixed fruit trees, including a mixture of apples, pears, and a variety of stone-fruits will be planted in spaces along the edges of Hanwell Meadows (Trumpers Field, Jubilee Meadow and Blackberry Corner), next to the canal.

This will grow over the next few years to extend the trail along the canal in either direction, linking the green open spaces of Hanwell and Norwood Green.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “There is a great community spirit in the area already with the meadows popular with local people for their crop of wild plums, blackberries and other fruits. These trees will enhance the offering and are intended to provide free foraging for park visitors and food for wildlife for years to come.”

The project is being organised in partnership with the council’s park ranger for the area, James Morton; and it has received the support of the council’s Elthorne and Norwood Green ward forums, which have offered to help fund the cost of the trees in 2015.

The next day of planting will be on Saturday, 7 February when all 40 trees will be planted.

Volunteers are invited to come along and get involved. Volunteers will also be needed to help look after the trees in their vulnerable first year of life with occasional watering and weed control.

For more details or to express an interest in helping with the orchard contact hanwellorchard@gmail.com

20th January 2015