Rokeby Recreation Ground Community Orchard
2021: The pictures show an aerial view of the chosen planting site and the orchard planted by the tree sponsors after the first planting weekend of 27th - 28th November 2021
We have now created a community orchard as a lovely, long term space for the villagers of Tokers Green, Dyson’s Wood and Chazy Heath to enjoy.
It is located in the second field at Rokeby Recreation Ground, with the kind permission of Mapleduram Parish council.
We invited local residents to be part of this community project by donating and planting a tree. Everyone interested was asked to choose either an apple, pear, plum, cherry or quince tree.
The most suitable trees were selected, from a local nursery, based on appearance, rootstock and pollination characteristics, with an overall balance of varieties.
The 31 heritage trees were planted in the first year of the orchard as a community activity on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November 2021, and the slideshows below show the chosen site, its preparation the weekend before the initial planting, the activities over the first planting weekend, and the planted orchard. Scroll down to see pictures of our regular work to maintain the orchard as well as the community coming together to plant more trees in later years -
Although the trees were donated and planted by individuals or families, they now belong to the community so that maintenance, such as weeding and pruning, and harvesting of the fruit each Autumn, will be a collective effort. Hopefully, the trees should begin to bear fruit in 2 or 3 years.
Previous years: Community Orchard working party activity
Previous years Working Party Activity
Community Orchard Activity Year 2026
February2026 February 6
A good sized group of hardy folk braved the weather to mulch all our trees today. As always many hands and wheelbarrows made light work of moving 3 enormous bags of mulch from the end of Elm Road - which is as near as the delivery lorry can go - up to the orchard. A good job to be completed in winter.
