Apple blossom

There is an ancient orchard in Howe Ridding wood, which probably originates from ancient times when people lived in this coppice woodland producing charcoal and hazel stems to sell to the local industries including the bobbin mills, of which there were 70 at the height of their output.

Living on site would have been a continual struggle, but there is the remains of a highway circling the hill and there was obviously trade with coastal dwellers as a heap of oyster shells has been discovered.

The apple trees there now are very old and in bad condition, but cuttings have been grafted to perpetuate the old varieties, and this blossom is on one of these replacement trees.

There are also damson trees, and I am expecting a good crop this year.