Have you heard of the mythical Chinnor plum? Does it really exist? Read on to find out.
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| 2013 Sketch Map of the fruit trees at orchard |
In 2013 a formal survey of Donkey Lane Community Orchard by Derek Tolman of Bernwode Fruit Trees, identified 20 apple trees and a single plum tree. These were marked on a sketch map of the site and scion wood was collected to propagate new trees. This was done in an attempt to protect the genetic lineage of the traditional varieties growing on site.
Experts later confirmed that the plum was unique and named it the Chinnor plum.
Move on to early 2019 when we started work clearing the orchard. It was apparent that the overall site was much more overgrown than it was in 2013 and it was difficult to confirm whether all of the trees on the sketch map still existed.
As our clearing of the decades of rubbish, brambles and ivy progressed we discovered not one but two plum trees. They were in a pretty sorry state and the trunks needed support. Once the trees were exposed to the light, we were delighted to see extensive white blossom and much to our surprise similar blossom on a tree a short distance away. Following the line of the trees already found and knowing that plums tend to spread by sending out suckers we were able to find another two juvenile examples. So, in one season our stock of the Chinnor plum had multiplied from one to five. Read more...
