Harvesting Apples in Rothbury

A group of Rothbury Tree Wardens were only too happy to help with a couple of requests from locals. Some apple trees are so heavily laden, it is not possible for the owners to collect all the apples, and many folk do not like the fruit being wasted.

Of course, it is good to leave some fruit for insects, birds, and mammals, but the huge amounts these residents had, a lot would be wasted.

We began by picking up all the windfall apples, checking if they were suitable to use, or if they should be left.

The apples that were perfect, or only slightly bruised, were taken to the Northumberland Cider Company, at Etal Village.
Mark Shipperlee, of Green Man Enterprises, arranged for them to take the apples, which would otherwise have been wasted.

This is where the apples were taken:

"At Northumbrian Cider & Wine Company, we create exceptional award winning craft cider, wine, and juice from 100% freshly pressed apples and fruit, fermented, matured & bottled in the heart of Northumberland. Experience the finest flavours rooted in our award-winning tradition".

Mark Shipperlee runs Green Man Enterprises. This is countryside and woodland management, food growing, recycling, permaculture, biochar, and orchard projects.

We are so lucky to have Mark living so near to Rothbury, he helps with advice and practical support in many projects. Mark is a passionate cider maker himself, and also presses apples into apple juice. He hopes to be using Rothbury apples for his own pressing, next autumn.