Shaftesbury Orchard Town was established in 2024 as part of Shaftesbury Tree Group’s five year plan, with the endorsement of the Town Council. We are encouraging the planting of fruit and nut trees wherever possible, to enhance existing orchards and fruit trees, in private gardens and on public land so that, in time, an all-embracing mixed orchard is established and becomes integral to the town.
We aim to make Shaftesbury even more beautiful, known for its spring blossom, summer and autumn fruits, the wellbeing of its people and care for nature. Insects and birds will have more chances to flourish. Wild fruit trees such as Blackthorn (sloe), Bullace and Wild Cherry will be welcome. Orchard Town will enhance public and private places and will encourage the sharing of produce, resources, husbandry and culinary skills, experiences and knowledge.
Myriad cultural opportunities will be encouraged for creative artists to document and celebrate as the project establishes and grows via spontaneous actions, organised exhibitions, collaborations and competitions.
Orchard Town is helping to provide Shaftesbury residents with increased local and home-grown food from fruit trees in private gardens, public areas, workplaces, schools and places of worship.
Fruit trees have already been planted in Shaftesbury: for example, Donkey Field Community Orchard was established in 2005 on Town Council land below Enmore Green Allotments. Here Apple Day is celebrated in October and wassailing later in the year. In 2009, fruit trees were planted to create an Orchard in St James Park on the slopes below Park Walk. There are others. Can we fill in the gaps and join them up?
How to participate
For further information please contact Shaftesbury Tree Group via Planet Shaftesbury.
Please let us know about the fruit trees already growing in your garden, allotment, street, park or neighbourhood as we develop a Fruit Tree Map of the town and gazetteer of fruit varieties, to provide information on gaps and opportunities.
Have a conversation. Share thoughts and information with friends and neighbours who might welcome a fruit tree or two in their gardens. Take photographs. Tell us about work or public places where we might help to plant.
Have you tried grafting or budding? Do you love pruning? Do you have favourite recipes that include fruit and nuts? Tell us about your ideas, if you would like a tree and/or be willing to help plant new trees and care for existing ones.
Tree of the month
February 2026
TULIP TREE (Liriodendron tulipifera)
This enormous multi-stemmed tulip tree was reputedly planted by a forbear the Rutter family. It is probably the biggest and finest tree in Shaftesbury, rivalling the tulip trees at Stourhead.
So-called owing to the pale greenish-white flowers which resemble a tulip flower. Its large leaves are uniquely shaped – four lobed, with a square or blunt top where a point would normally be.
The owners notice that the lowest leaves open in about April, and the latest in June at the top of the tree. In autumn they turn a beautiful yellow-gold.
Tulip trees were probably introduced to England in the mid-seventeenth century by John Tradescant.
Shaftesbury Tree Group was formed in 2002 after trying to save the beautiful sycamore tree by St Rumbold’s Church – it was replaced by a tulip tree – which is growing well….
Photo: Tulip Tree in a garden south of St James Street taken by Shaftesbury Tree Group
Latest news
Wassailing fun in Shaftesbury
Gin, Jam, and Foraging
National Tree Week 2025
Ode to Orchards
by Joe Hashman, October 2025
Imagine Shaftesbury has an orchard
Weaving up around steep hanging slopes
Over and across the whole of town
Connecting every neighbourhood
Old, new, as-yet unbuilt
Imagine a tapestry of edible trees
On street corners, public open spaces
Private gardens, schools, churches, workplaces
As formal collections, random clusters
Individual specimens, roadside hedges
Imagine this town in springtime
Awash with pretty blossom
Like a bridal suite
Observe, spend time …. breathe deep
Immerse yourself in the heart
Of this flowering orchard
Feel your spirits lift
Imagine
Sunny summer walks
Follow footpaths
Blurred by berry-bearing bushes
Discover shade and shelter
Family picnics
Hang out with your mates
Lovers meeting for a tête-à-tête
Imagine this town
It’s autumn
Not just squirrels and wood mice rummaging leaf litter
Under sweet chestnut, walnut, hazel
But also people
Rooting with sticks
Gathering nuts
By the basket, bushel, bag
To crack, roast, store
And everywhere
The smell and talk
Of apples
Of pies, jams, tarts, crumbles
Fresh apples, dried apples
Apples pressed into juice and cider
The chomp of teeth and flashing smiles
Sounds of songs, chatter, laughter
Communities coming together
Harvesting, processing, sharing
Friends you maybe haven’t seen for ages
And others from outside your circle
Whom you’ve yet to get to know
Living in the precious present
Reaping rich rewards from past actions
Mindful, always, of securing future
Wildlife-friendly
Food for free
Dorset Council has declared
A Climate and Ecological Emergency
Dorset Council states,
“There is clear scientific evidence
to show that climate change is happening
and is due to human activity.
Whilst this is a huge global challenge,
many solutions are local…”
In this mad world
Spiralling ever more dangerously out of control
Shaftesbury Orchard Town offers hope
Some practical solutions
An antidote
Shaftesbury Orchard Town is love in action
And lo! When we took our vision
To the Town Council
Last October
Their vote to endorse
Was unanimous
Pruning, planting, pleaching, budding, grafting
Planning, mapping, recording, composing
Supporting, nurturing, respecting, mulling
Teaching, learning
We are growers, gardeners, naturalists, foresters
Bakers, makers, alchemists, chefs
Campaigners, historians, foragers, grafters
Artists, artisans, singers, musicians, poets
Across generations
Beyond creed or status
We’re Shastonians, immigrants, the naturalised
The mainstream and the marginalised
We are Shaftesbury Orchard Town
And we are Here!
