Tomorrow is the day!

From getting the grant awarded to planting day has been quite a quick turnaround, but we’ve made it through, and are all ready for action tomorrow. Our volunteers have had a plan emailed out to them, we’re delighted that so many people are going to join us.

In the lead-up, and with liaison from various people in the community, we have defined the best planting areas as pictured:

John Hancox from Scottish Fruit Trees has surveyed the areas and is happy with these locations, as are the various council departments involved. The local fire station is happily giving us access to water.

We have selected Scottish Heritage Trees which will thrive in our local environment, increase biodiversity and produce a good and varied yield. Apples do the best in our environment and that is reflected in the choices made. We do have a pear tree but they aren’t known to do as well in windy spots like this can be.

There is a mixture of cooking and eating apples, plums and quince.

The trees we have selected to plant are:

Apples (and 1 pear)

• Discovery
• Worcester Pearmain 
• Egremont Russet 
• Arthur Turner 
• Red Devil 
• Pear Invincible 

Heritage varieties by the school fence

• Cambusnethan 
• Tam Montgomery 
• Peasgood Nonsuch 
• Scots Bridget 
• Liberty 

Area of Plums and Damsons

• Victoria Plum
• Early Rivers Plum
• Damson Merrywather
• Fairleigh

Benefits of planting

As well as producing free fruit for the village, the trees will increase biodiversity in the area, improve the air quality at the school drop-off point, and of course help with overall carbon reduction.

Thank you to all in Skelmorlie Environment Trust

We’ve been very lucky that so many in our committee have worked hard to make this happen and we’ve been awarded this generous grant from North Ayrshire Council.

Looking forward to seeing these trees blossom this year and for all the years to come!