SHV’s Fruit Corner is a community project to establish a community orchard and berry bushes within the Harbertonford Play Park, with the fruit and berries available to all to pick and take home.

In February 2022 SHV volunteers and families from the community came together to plant 10 trees and 9 climbing berries. The trees include plum, pear and apple, and tayberry, loganberry and cultivated blackberry have been planted using the perimeter fence as a support structure. Our thanks goes to Devon Wildlife Trust who provided the trees as part of their “Community Orchards” project and to South Hams Council for funding the climbing berries and other infrastructure. The trees are part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, a network of trees planted to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The site is being managed for wildlife by SHV volunteers, with light management around the trees, and the remaining plants on the bank being left to flower and seed to provide food for wildlife. An additional Landmark Tree, a native field maple, has been planted on the highest point of the bank and will grow to support a range of caterpillars, aphids and all their predators. Future plans include the creation of a path between the trees to enable access for all, and a programme of events to allow anyone who wishes to enjoy the site and to get involved with taking care it - keep an eye on our events page and join our Facebook group if you're interested.