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Community orchards and Coronation Oaks in the district
Create and orchard
In 2021 East Cambridgeshire District Council launched the ‘Create an Orchard’ scheme with the goal of establishing 26 new orchards across East Cambridgeshire. In the first year 200 trees were planted and 20 new orchards created. In the second year a further 100 trees were provided free of charge, and 7 more new orchards were established.
The free orchard trees we gave away were sourced from the East of England Apples and Orchard Project, a local charity that promote the planting of local orchard fruit varieties and the preservation of orchards in the East of England.
In 2026 we had another round of the giveaways with a further 100 orchard trees given out to parish councils and community groups within the district, mainly to increase the size of the successful orchards created in 2021 or 2022.
Many community orchards need volunteers so if you want to get involved, please contact your nearest parish council or community group to see if they have any orchards that need your help.
Coronation Oak trees
In March 2024, and between the free orchard tree giveaways described above, the council gave away 75 oak trees which were planted across 20 locations in East Cambridgeshire. The council donated the trees free of charge as part of its campaign to mark King Charles III’s coronation and 75th birthday.
Trees were planted by local parish councils in Soham, Mepal, Dullingham, Swaffham Bulbeck, Ely, Wicken, Reach, Stretham, Coveney and Burwell.
Schools in Isleham, Soham and Littleport also planted some of the trees, whilst Beach Babies Nursery added a few trees to its garden area. Other community-based beneficiaries to collect the free trees include Kennet Community Land Trust, Haddenham Conservation Trust, Prospects Trust and Cloud Ursa.
Location of orchards and oak trees
Most of the trees planted are open to the public and can be found on the map on this page.
We hope the orchards will be treasured and enjoyed by wildlife and communities for generations to come.