Notes re: meeting of Community Orchard Group 14/1/12 at the proposed site near children's swings on Rush Green

I was a bit late, coming from work, and when I got there the others were in the little copse to the west of the Green, talking about maybe taking down a few of the trees to put apple trees in there instead and my heart sank as I wouldn't really want to be part of removing any healthy trees.

Anyway in the end we were favouring Wendy's plan to plant trees along either side of the path just beyond the swings which would be a great plan, I feel, as it would add something new to the village, ie an avenue, to eventually form a blossoming arch to walk under etc. There would be the possibility to also put more trees into a sliver of the grassy area - drains permitting. It was felt that the grassy area was important for biking and playing right away from the road and we wouldn't want to invade that area too much with the planting of trees...

We also discussed a walnut tree - the feeling was that there would only be room for one as they grow so big. Also I asked if we could plant a Mulberry tree....

Some of the party are going to find out exactly where the drains reach to, and by how much they must be avoided etc - there are 2 large drain covers there. There will be research into the types and size of the trees to buy and there's agreement that we would need several different sizes and types to give variety and also to give different maturation and fruiting times.

We talked about involving the school and the youth group in the whole project. We talked about how to ensure that at least one or two of the trees would give fruit in the first year that could be harvested. It would be sad if all the apples had to be removed in the first year - especially if the school had been involved in the planting etc.

I wasn't able to be at the following meeting unfortunately - but am looking forward to the next one -

time and place to be announced