Brilley Orchards.
Over the past year the Ranges from Croft have been working over in Brilley located between Kington and Hay-on-Wye. There are a couple of small orchards on the site and the one we have been working on most recently is shown in the photos above. These photos have been taken from google maps and I’d say these aerial views were taken several years ago when the orchard was in a far better condition than it is today. From the photos above I’d estimate that there must have been about 100 trees in the orchard when it was originally planted.
On arrival at the Orchard we were confronted by a tangle of old and very neglected apple trees.
Initially it was difficult to see just how big the orchard was: the saying “you can’t see the wood for the trees” was more a case of ” you can’t see the trees for the tangle of fallen branches”. The first task was to remove the fallen and dead wood away from around each of the apple trees.
This is near the gate leading into the orchard. 
This is near the gate leading into the orchard. 
This is near the gate leading into the orchard.
There was so much brash we needed to burn it and so whilst some of the team cut away the fallen branches, others dragged the dead wood over to the fire. Much of the fallen wood was old and therefore some of it was left near the base of several trees as habitat piles.
By the end of our first day in the orchard we were able to see a little further into the orchard.
This is near the gate leading into the orchard at the end of day one 
This is near the gate leading into the orchardat the end of day one 
This is near the gate leading into the orchard at the end of day one
The following week we were back once more a different group of volunteers but the task was much the same as before. As we moved further into the orchard there was more evidence of neglect along with an indication that local wild life had taken advantage of the undisturbed environment.
This tree became so tall it split and died. 
This tree, old and hollow has become home to “?” possibly a squirrel? 
From a close inspection it is evident that it has been in recent use.
As volunteers we have no idea what the plans are for the orchard, however there is still much to do and it will require a few more sessions before the area looks as though some one is taking an interest in it.
After a mornings work cutting and dragging around fallen bits of apple tree, we take advantage of he burning site to cook a few sausages.
We are all looking just a little tired and hopeing the sausages wont take much longer.
More to follow as we complete the task.
