Donkey Field Community Orchard - August 2026 News

At the time of writing we’ve just entered the last month of summer. Please don’t tell me it’s been wonderful - it has not! The natural world is struggling desperately without any meaningful raindrops for months and burning temperatures are causing absolute chaos for the rhythms and cycles of life which we might normally expect. Although “normal” isn’t any longer the right word. I mean, it’s not like we can pretend that nobody saw this coming. So here we are, 2026, and climate chaos isn’t something to deal with sometime in the future. It’s reality here and now.

In the Donkey Field Community Orchard I fear that oak saplings planted by Clayesmore students as a hedge along The Butts might have succumbed due to lack of rainfall. Quite simply, it’s been impossible to transport and apply sufficient water on a consistent basis. With watering in mind, I do wonder about the wisdom of actually planting trees. Not all trees, obviously. In an orchard we want particular specimens in particular places. And it’s the same in a garden. But what about roadside verges, shelter belts, field corners, community green spaces and the like? Plantings thus involve costly labour, nursery-grown stock, unsightly tubing, wooden stakes and don’t forget the aftercare - mowing and watering! How about simply fencing these areas off and leaving them to regenerate as nature intends? Sure, it’s less immediate, we have to change the way we interpret what we see, plus ceding control over choices of what grows where. But in terms of costs, resources, effort and outcomes, a winner surely?

Last season was bumper in terms of trees producing seeds and nuts. A so-called ‘mast year’. Consequently, just look at ‘unmanaged’ ground and local woodland floor. It’s often thick with tiny oaks, ash, hazel, hawthorn and the like. All springing up and plunging their roots down despite the drought. I always reckon the best and strongest trees are they that plant themselves. And who knows, amongst the rash of ash tree seedlings there could be individuals with inbuilt genetic resilience to the dreaded Ash Dieback, this providing resistant future stock? Manufacturers of planting equipment and paraphernalia, architects, designers and nursery owners mightn’t agree with ‘natural regeneration’, but what better and sensible way to help redress the decades nay centuries of damage caused by humans?

Speaking of damage, deer browsing in the Donkey Field is an issue. Interestingly, it’s where we’ve cleared brambles from around more recent plantings that the effects are most pronounced - a reminder of the vital (and valuable) role played by ‘scrub’ in protecting trees from the nibbling and rubbing of beasts. Our drought-stressed orchard trees are already dropping fruit. The small committee which oversees planning and admin tasks will be meeting soon to discuss the date for Apple Day. Quite likely we shall bring it forward in response to the early arrival of autumn. Please watch our notice boards on Church Hill and The Butts for news of this very important date.

And finally, if you’ve not already done so and if there’s any left to enjoy, please help yourselves to the edible harvest which is all around us.

This piece first appeared in the Enmore Green Community Newsletter, August 2026.

Joe Hashman