8. Gunner park community orchard Essex Wildlife Trust

This project is to plant a community orchard of up to 100 heritage fruit trees of mixed variety in the meadow just north of the main carpark entrance to Gunners Park Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. Special attention will be given to make sure it is accessible to as many people as possible. The orchard will be situated in a wildflower meadow alongside the main car park with ample coach parking for schools etc and disabled parking bays only metres away. The trees will be alongside flat, wide, gentle gradient paths and be kept accessible with mowing. Planting will be done by local volunteers from the area supervised by Essex Wildlife Trust staff with experience in tree planting. Trees will be maintained year-round by the ranger who will facilitate volunteer work parties. Welcome and educational signage will be designed, printed and installed by the Essex Wildlife Trust with help from children from neighbouring schools who will contribute to the design. If approved tree planting will be done in winter 2025/26 when the trees are dormant and have the best chance of survival. The funding requested should allow for larger older saplings that will fruit sooner however it must be noted that a mature orchard will take time to grow (but then last for many decades).