Native fruiting trees, as well as, cultivated orchards and fruit groves provide food and shelter for thousands of animals and plants – many of which are endangered species.
Fruiting Trees serve as a source of nutrition for many living creatures, not just humans.
Fruit grown in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate climates are just as attractive and sort after by wildlife, as it is to us. Windfalls of fruit, along with fruit left on trees provide a vital source of food in both the autumn and winter months, as well as, ensures the survival of a range of birds, small mammals, snakes, spiders, wasps, butterflies, bees and beetles, along with countless other insects and micro-organisms, vital to the proper functioning of the local and wider ecology.
Creating and maintaining a varied orchard floor in essential in terms of supplying the conditions that support a greater diversity of insects, small mammals and birds. Ideally orchards and fruit groves should incorporate areas of long grass, as well as, areas of short grass by staggering mowing regimes to accommodate flower seed set times to ensure bees are able to feed throughout every season.
Hedgerows are also a critical component of ecologically-diverse Fruit Groves. Installed within and along the boundaries of growing areas, hedgerows boost biodiversity by providing food and shelter, as well as, furnishing a corridor connecting to other habitats. Furthermore, Hedgerows allow for the movement of animals and insects across regions. Additionally, planting diverse varieties of fruiting trees, provide additional sources of nectar in the summer and fruit in the autumn and winter months.