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enjoy the fruit trees that grow untended in the
rural and urban landscape.
It discusses the history and culture of fruit and
how it has moved across the world, and it talks
about how we got to where we are now. But the
most important thing is that it takes the simple
‘five trees is an orchard’ idea and rolls it out in
such a way that virtually anyone can have an
orchard of their own, or access to one.
It means that feral trees in the landscape can be
defined as an informal orchard, as can an ultra-
formal arrangement of potted and trained trees
in a tiny courtyard – and everything in between.
They can be relevant and accessible again.
And each newly-planted or rediscovered orchard
can help feed the family, support wildlife, keeping
alive a sense of place and allow one to explore
exquisite and unusual flavours. It enables
local varieties to be preserved and it has huge
implications for community cohesion.
It is not so much a gardening book per se, more
the first step on a journey – that of the reader.
While it is informed by my own experiences and
journeys, the aim is to open people’s eyes and
enable them to feel confident about tasting the
fruit off that stray tree, starting a community
orchard – or counting the fruit trees in their
garden and that of the neighbours, and revel in
the knowledge that they may have been living in
an orchard all along, hidden in plain sight.
Ultimately, it will inspire the reader to take a new
look at their garden and their landscape, and, I
hope, herald a new dawn for fruit enthusiasm
and ownership.
An Orchard Odyssey
by Naomi Slade
is published by Green Books, £24.99
Signed copies are available from
Waterstones, Newbury
www.naomislade.com@naomislade
A patchwork orchard in
Newbury back gardens
Walnut tree
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