Celebrating National Tree Week with Ilmington’s New Community Orchard
It is National Tree Week and the perfect moment to unveil the new community orchard at Ilmington Playing Fields.
Published: 29 November 2025
Twelve young fruit trees have been planted in the north-west area of the fields, in a project by Ilmington Parish Council.
Ilmington once had many orchards, some of which still survive. The new community orchard features heritage varieties of apples, plums, and pears, celebrating the village’s long-standing reputation. These traditional varieties were chosen for their historical significance as well as their value to local wildlife, providing blossom in spring and fruit in autumn. By planting heritage types, the orchard preserves a link to the past while offering a resource for future generations to enjoy in years to come.
The orchard was made possible thanks to grants from the Community Orchard Fund, part of Defra’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF), under the guidance of Tara Higgs, Assistant Ecologist at Warwickshire County Council. Funding covered the cost of trees, planting and protection, giving the project a solid foundation to thrive.
“We’re delighted to see this project take root,” said Cllr Martin Underwood. “It may be just a dozen young trees now, but in a few years they’ll be a feast for everyone to share.”
This orchard forms part of a broader strategy developed by Ilmington Parish Council in partnership with Ilmington Wildlife Group to increase biodiversity and improve public amenity across the playing fields. Earlier in the year the Council planted 10 trees alongside the line of the public footpath by the playground. Work is also underway to expand wildflower areas and restore the nearby pond, which is showing signs of returning amphibian life.
If you’d like to help out with any of these projects, then please get in touch with us. We’re particularly keen to hear from local residents who would be willing to help with watering the young trees in the first few years.
National Tree Week held from 22 to 30 November 2025, is the UK’s largest annual celebration of trees and marks the start of the winter tree-planting season.
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