Some 1,260 farmers choose the traditional orchard action for GLAS. This option was only available for farmers participating in the first tranche of the scheme. The deadline for planting apple trees is fast approaching, with 31 March 2017 being the cutoff date.

Catherine Keena from Teagasc says there are two main reasons why traditional orchards were supported under GLAS I. The main reason was to conserve the genetic resources and ensure the survival of old fruit varieties because many traditional varieties are no longer being grown commercially.

The second reason is to increase biodiversity and provide a habitat for wildlife on the farm. In addition, Catherine says traditional orchards are a great asset on a farm because they create produce that can be used for baking and they are also an ideal place to bring children.

Choosing a rootstock

Eoin Keane from Irish Seed Savers explained that apples need pollen from at least one other variety of tree for pollination. The resulting seedling is an unknown variety which may differ substantially from the parent trees. He said rootstocks are used to avoid this.

Rootstocks are the base of apple trees grown for their roots on to which the desired variety is grafted or budded. The rootstock also helps control the height of trees. In GLAS, the rootstocks which must be used are M26, MM106 or MM111.

MM26 rootstock

  • Tree grows to 3m.
  • Stake permanently.
  • Fruit within two to three years.
  • MM106 roostock

  • Tree grows to 4.5m.
  • Stake for first few years only.
  • Fruit within five years.
  • MM111 rootstock

  • Tree grows to 5.5m.
  • Fruit within six to eight years.
  • Can live up to 100 years.
  • Choosing a variety

    Catherine recommends planting a variety of trees because different varieties are useful for different objectives. For example, some varieties provide apples suitable for eating while others are useful for cooking.

    It is important to remember that not any variety can be planted. A list of approved traditional apple trees suitable for GLAS is available on the GLAS I specification on the department’s website. The main considerations to take into account include:

  • Culinary/cookers, desert/eaters and cider varieties.
  • Early, middle and late flowering for pollination.
  • Early, middle and late fruiting (some fruit in August and others’ fruit is still available in January).
  • Personal preference – variation in fruit size, taste, texture, etc.
  • Consider the county of origin of the tree.
  • Sourcing plants

    The department does not list approved suppliers of traditional orchards. The Irish Farmers Journal contacted some suppliers to gauge costs and delivery. This is not a complete list and farmers sowing trees for GLAS should make sure the varieties they buy are acceptable in the scheme.

    Eoin Keane from Irish Seed Savers, based in Scariff in Co Clare, says they have low stock numbers available because of the high demand. Seed Savers sell trees for €19.95 each and to courier a batch of 10 trees nationwide costs €10. Seed Savers can be contacted on 061-921 856/921 866.

    Mr Middleton Garden Shop in Dublin supplies apple trees suitable for GLAS. They said this year sales have been steady with the mild weather and feel they should have enough trees to meet the demand over the next couple of months. Their trees cost €20/tree and nationwide postage costs €5.95. Orders can made via telephone at 01-873 1118 or on their website.

    Future Forests in Bantry, Co Cork, also supplies apple trees suitable for GLAS. They have two options – the one-year maiden trees cost €15 each and the two-year-old trees cost €18 each. Nationwide delivery is available at a cost of €15. Future Forests can be contacted on 027-66176 or via their website.

    English’s Fruit Nurseries based in Wexford supplies apple trees for the GLAS scheme. They can be contacted on 053-924 0984.

    How to plant

    The department says that the orchard must be fenced off from livestock. The area must be 0.05ha containing 10 fruit trees. Grazing inside the fence with sheep is allowed provided no damage is caused to the trees, which require specific sheep-proof shelters to be erected around each tree. If damage is being caused by rabbits/hares, measures to prevent further damage must be taken by the erection of a rabbit-proof fence. In this week’s Farmer Know-How (opposite page), Eoin Keane goes through the steps involved in planting apple trees for GLAS.

    Orchard care

    It is important to keep a 1m radius of each tree free from weeds for the first five years to limit competition with the tree. Pesticides should only be applied to noxious and invasive weeds. The orchard should be monitored in wind and adjust tying and staking annually. The department says any failed or dead trees should be replaced. Catherine says a small amount of pruning is good to open up the tree to improve the overall structure and increase the amount of apples grown. She believes that effort in the first few years, keeping apple trees weed-free to get them established and shaping to develop their structure is essential. Later they can survive on neglect.