Guest Post: Lawrence Weston on Mapping Birmingham’s Fruit Trees

Earlier this year I attended the Great Northern Fruit Moot, the annual gathering of orchardists and fruit growers from across the north of England and beyond, and one of my absolute calendar highlights.

One of the speakers at the event was Lawrence Weston of Clent Hills Orchards. Lawrence is no stranger to speaking at the Moot; last year he gave a talk on his RHS bursary funded trip to the wild fruit orchards of Kazakhstan. This year he was speaking again, telling the Mooters about his most recent mission: to map the fruit trees and orchard spaces of Birmingham, UK.

I thought this was a fascinating project, one that the Orchard Notes readership would be very interested in hearing about, and so I asked Lawrence if he could send over some information.

The following is a condensed version of the full project report, which Lawrence would be very happy to share with you, if you’d like to read the full details, so please do drop him a line if so. Or if you have any questions, please feel free to ask away, via the comments.

Project Summary

Birmingham TreePeople received funding from Birmingham City Council’s Food Legends Fund to deliver the first city-wide survey of publicly accessible orchards and fruit trees in Birmingham. The primary aim of the project was to identify and map existing orchard sites, producing an online map that establishes a robust baseline inventory of 1,680 fruit trees across 86 orchards.

Alongside the mapping work, the project delivered a programme of volunteer training in fruit tree planting, pruning, and surveying, helping to build local skills and strengthen community capacity for long-term orchard stewardship. Survey volunteers were trained one-to-one on site, gaining experience in species identification and use of TreePlotter software, while additional community sessions supported new planting and seasonal pruning.

The Birmingham TreePeople Equity Orchard Mapping Project makes a substantial contribution to the ambitions of the Birmingham Food System Strategy by advancing a fairer, more sustainable, and more resilient urban food system. By documenting the current distribution of orchard sites—and the significant inequalities between Birmingham’s northern and southern wards—the project provides a vital evidence base to guide future planting, investment, and community-led food growing. The resulting map enhances transparency, accessibility, and public engagement, while empowering communities, policymakers, and land managers to work collectively towards a more abundant and equitable urban orchard landscape.

Definitions

Publicly Accessible Orchard – A publicly accessible orchard is an area of land where 6 or more fruit- or nut-bearing trees are cultivated and maintained, and where members of the public have the right to enter, enjoy, and harvest fruit at any time of the day.

Fruit Tree – A fruit tree is defined as any tree that bears edible fruit. Within the context of this project, the term encompasses both traditional orchard species –  apple, pear, plum – and non-traditional species that have been planted and are being actively maintained with fruit-bearing as an intended outcome of their cultivation. A map displaying publicly accessible fruit trees in Birmingham is available here.

Methodology

This project was delivered between March and October 2025.

The survey process began with a desk-based search to locate orchards and fruit tree plantings within the city. This phase sought to collate all available information, including formal records, community knowledge, and anecdotal accounts of historic planting and maintenance activities. A variety of research methods were employed to ensure comprehensive coverage, including:

• Internet searches using a range of orchard-related terminology e.g. Birmingham community orchards, fruit trees, community planting.
• Direct engagement with orchard stakeholders and community organisations
• Communications with individuals possessing relevant local knowledge
• Social media outreach via Birmingham TreePeople channels
• Requests for information through tree and food-focused WhatsApp groups
• Satellite and map-based searches using Google Maps and Google Earth
• The knowledge and lived experience of the researcher 

As orchard locations began to emerge, each site was plotted on a custom Google My Map, allowing for efficient, systematic and shareable recording. Each orchard was represented by a single map pin and accompanying name, awaiting physical, on-site verification and survey: Birmingham Orchards Map 2025.

Although no single, centralised map of Birmingham’s orchards previously existed, several existing resources proved particularly valuable during this phase. These included the Fruit & Nut Village sites map and The Orchard Project’s historic map of orchards planted.

As the project progressed, new orchard locations continued to be identified through ongoing research and community engagement. During this phase, the research also identified a number of semi-accessible orchards. These included sites that were gated but open to the public at specific times, those situated within spaces requiring an entrance fee, and others located on allotments or community-managed land. While such sites were recorded as points of reference where encountered, they were not actively targeted as part of the core research methodology, which remained focused on fully publicly accessible orchard spaces.

Once traditional desk-based research methods had been largely exhausted, the focus shifted to the ‘ground truthing’ phase — the physical verification of orchard sites that had been recorded on Google My Maps. 

Where geography and orchard distribution allowed, surveying was conducted by bicycle, which proved particularly effective along the canal network and in areas with a high density of orchard sites. In areas where orchards were more widely dispersed, travel by car was necessary, with individual sites accessed on foot wherever possible.

The final data point parameters of the survey for each tree were as follows:

• Family
• Genus
• Species (Where known)
• Location marked using an individual pin on Tree Plotter
• Classification as an ‘Orchard Tree’ on Tree Plotter
• Date Surveyed
• Surveyor

This information was recorded using Tree Plotter mapping software, which is routinely used by Birmingham TreePeople. This platform is available to the public, the data recorded can be viewed via Tree Plotter.

Findings

• A total of 1,680 fruit trees have been recorded in publicly accessible orchards across Birmingham.
• These trees are distributed across 86 individual orchard sites throughout the city.
• 17 different fruit species have been identified within Birmingham’s publicly accessible orchards.
• Over 96% of all recorded fruit trees belong to the Rosaceae family.
• 31 of Birmingham’s 69 wards are home to orchard sites, with Stirchley alone home to 18.5% of the city’s publicly accessible fruit trees (see Appendix 2 for ward breakdown).

Figure 2 details

93% of Birmingham Orchards are made up of 3 Genus – Apple, Pear and Prunus Species:
Malus domestica (apples) 46.2%
Prunus sp. (plums, cherries, etc.) 33.5%
Pyrus communis (pears) 13.3%
Other (see Fig 3) 7.0%

Figure 3 details

The remaining 7% are comprised of 14 species, although Quince, Walnut and Medlar predominate (the following percentages are the share of the 7% ‘Other’ category from Fig 2):

Cydonia oblonga (quince) 28%
Juglans regia (walnut) 26.3%
Mespilus germanica (medlar) 13.6%
Ficus carica (fig) 10.2%
Morus nigra (black mulberry) 7.6%
Corylus avellana (hazel) 4.2%
Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) 3.4%
Punica granatum (pomegranate) 0.8%
Torminalis glaberrima (wild service tree) 0.8%
Arbutus andrachne (Greek strawberry tree) 0.8%
Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree) 0.8%
Cornus capitata (Himalayan flowering dogwood) 0.8%
Amelanchier canadensis (service berry) 0.8%

Discussion

The dataset provides valuable opportunities for quantitative analysis, while the researcher’s direct observation of 1,680 fruit trees across the city also offers a rich source of qualitative insight. 

Fruit Tree Species Selection

The species data reveal that nearly all publicly accessible orchards in Birmingham are dominated by three genera: Malus (apple), Pyrus (pear), and Prunus. The genus Prunus encompasses a wide range of fruiting species, including cherry, plum, damson, apricot, peach, nectarine, and almond. All of these were identified across the city, although differentiation between individual species proved challenging, particularly for volunteers, and were therefore recorded collectively as Prunus sp.

A widely accepted principle in arboriculture, endorsed by Birmingham TreePeople, advises that an urban forest population should comprise no more than 10% of any single species, 20% of any one genus, and 30% of any one family. The current composition of Birmingham’s publicly accessible orchards significantly exceeds these recommended biodiversity thresholds. Approximately 96% of trees belong to the Rosaceae family, with 46% identified as Malus domestica. This high concentration within a single taxonomic group heightens vulnerability to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, thereby reducing overall ecological resilience.

Although Birmingham’s orchards exceed the 10–20–30 diversity thresholds, this guideline should be applied with flexibility in the context of fruit tree planting. As these sites are managed primarily for food production and community benefit, the genetic diversity among fruit cultivars, together with the active maintenance of orchards, helps to mitigate risks from pests and disease. Nevertheless, incorporating a greater range of non-Rosaceae species in future planting would further enhance ecological resilience and long-term sustainability.

The recommendation to diversify Birmingham’s orchard population presents an exciting opportunity to expand the planting of fruit species that are already thriving locally in small numbers, as well as to introduce new species that are not yet publicly available but have strong potential to succeed. Ficus carica (fig), Morus nigra (mulberry), and perhaps more marginally Punica granatum (Pomegranate), are excellent examples of non-Rosaceae species suited to this purpose. These are reliable fruiting trees that have demonstrated good performance within the city’s climatic conditions. In addition to their horticultural suitability, some of these species hold significant cultural value, with many local communities possessing knowledge of how to harvest and use their fruit.

Species not yet recorded in Birmingham that present novel opportunities for future orchard diversification—particularly in the context of a changing climate—include Diospyros kaki (Persimmon), Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat), and Asimina triloba (Pawpaw). Each of these species demonstrates a degree of resilience to the warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons projected under current climate models. Persimmon is a hardy and ornamental tree capable of producing reliable crops of richly flavoured fruit once established, and it performs well across much of southern and central England. Loquat, while traditionally subtropical, has shown increased potential for successful outdoor fruiting in sheltered urban microclimates, offering early-season blossom and distinctive fruit. Pawpaw, a cold-hardy North American species, represents an exciting non-Rosaceae addition, combining excellent pest resistance with potential for local fruiting in warm, protected sites. Together, these species embody the next generation of climate-adapted orchard planting—broadening biodiversity, enhancing resilience, and expanding the palette of edible species available to Birmingham’s communities.

While Malus, Pyrus, and Prunus will continue to play a central role in Birmingham’s orchard planting, a warming climate necessitates greater consideration of species and varieties adapted to conditions traditionally found further south. In the case of apples, this shift is influenced not only by rising average temperatures but also by a reduction in winter chill hours—the cumulative period of cold required for many fruit trees to break dormancy and flower reliably. As winters become milder, traditional northern European cultivars may struggle to achieve adequate chilling, leading to irregular flowering and reduced yields. To safeguard future productivity and resilience, orchard planning should increasingly prioritise species and varieties historically cultivated in southern England and northern France, where climatic conditions match those projected for Birmingham in the coming decades. 

Examples of apple cultivars with proven performance in warmer, lower-chill climates include ‘Reine des Reinettes’ (also known as ‘King of the Pippins’), an old French variety noted for its excellent flavour and adaptability to variable conditions, and ‘Gravenstein’, which performs well under mild winters. For pears, ‘Beurré Hardy’ and ‘Doyenné du Comice’—both originating from northern France—are well-suited to warmer conditions and produce consistently high-quality fruit. In addition, modern southern European cultivars such as ‘Abbé Fetel’ and ‘Conference’ (a Belgian variety already well known and successful in the UK) show good drought tolerance and productivity under fluctuating rainfall. For Prunus at the species level, Prunus persica (peach), is suited to warmer, drier conditions and could play an expanding role in the city’s future orchards.

Nut species also present valuable opportunities for orchard diversification in Birmingham. Species with strong potential are Prunus dulcis (almond), Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis (Heartnut) and Juglans cinerea (Butternut), all of which offer distinctive nut crops and add structural diversity to orchard plantings.

Fruit Tree Distribution by Ward

31 of Birmingham’s 69 wards are home to publicly accessible orchards, however there is a significant north–south imbalance in orchard distribution. 

Region	Number of Wards	Number of Fruit Trees	% of total fruit trees
North Birmingham	30	286	17%
South Birmingham	39	1396	83%
Total	69	1680	–

The pronounced north–south disparity in orchard distribution reflects a combination of historical, social, and spatial factors. In particular, South Birmingham has benefited from a greater concentration of community-led environmental initiatives—most notably those led by Fruit & Nut Village. The distribution of fruit trees across wards mirrors the geographical and temporal focus of this organisation’s work, with the highest concentrations found in:

1. Bartley Green – 104
2. Stirchley – 311
3. Edgbaston – 135
4. Balsall Heath West – 132
5. Druids Heath & Monyhull – 120

To ensure a more equitable distribution of environmental and community benefits, future orchard planting should prioritise North Birmingham, where large areas of open space exist but community orchards remain underrepresented. Targeted investment, partnership development, and community capacity-building in these wards would help to balance provision across the city and support Birmingham’s wider ambitions for a resilient, connected urban food system.

Conclusion

This project represents the first comprehensive mapping and survey of publicly accessible fruit trees and orchards in Birmingham, establishing an essential evidence base for future planning, management, and community engagement. The documentation of 1,680 fruit trees across 86 orchards provides a clear picture of both the strengths and the inequities within the city’s current orchard network. 

The findings demonstrate that Birmingham possesses a substantial foundation upon which to build a fairer, more resilient, and more productive orchard system. However, they also underline the importance of coordinated long-term care.

The report also identifies significant opportunities for future development. Diversifying beyond the Rosaceae-dominated composition of current orchards, adapting planting choices to a warming climate, and strengthening community stewardship will all enhance ecological resilience and long-term productivity. Equally, the establishment of a Birmingham Orchard Network and improved governance structures would provide the coordination needed to support sustained growth and equitable access across all wards.

Crucially, the project points toward an ambitious but attainable long-term vision: a city where every household can enjoy a bowl of fruit each year from Birmingham’s own publicly accessible orchards. Achieving this will require the establishment of approximately 22,500 productive fruit trees city-wide—an aim made credible by existing successes such as Stirchley, where community investment has already delivered nearly the density required to meet this city-wide benchmark.

Through its mapping, analysis, and engagement work, this project lays the foundations for a new phase of orchard development in Birmingham—one that strengthens food security, enhances biodiversity, builds community capacity, and contributes meaningfully to the city’s climate resilience and wellbeing. With continued investment, coordinated management, and community leadership, Birmingham has the opportunity to become a national exemplar for integrated, community-led urban fruit growing.

Acknowledgements 

This project represents a collaborative effort between Birmingham TreePeople and Birmingham City Council, made possible through generous grant funding from the Food Legends Fund.

Warm thanks are extended to the many stakeholders involved in Birmingham’s orchards, whose insights, support, and openness greatly enriched this research. I am deeply grateful to the staff and trustees of Birmingham TreePeople for their consistent encouragement, guidance, and unwavering commitment throughout the project. I would also like to thank the team from the EU Horizon CARMINE Research Project for their in-kind support in data mapping.

Researcher Biography

Lawrence Weston is a Director of Clent Hills Orchards CIC and a Trustee of Birmingham TreePeople. He studied Geography at the University of Birmingham before completing formal horticultural training with the Royal Horticultural Society at RHS Rosemoor, specialising in top-fruit production. His work focuses on community orchard development, sustainable food systems, and the long-term stewardship of fruit trees.