31/01/25

A rare variety of apple tree that once grew in the grounds of the Bute family estate in Cardiff has been planted in the city for what is thought to be the first time in around 100 years.

Gabalfa apple trees, recorded historically as ‘Gabalva' apples, were thought to be lost until their rediscovery in Carmarthenshire in 2004.

Three of the trees have been planted as part of a new orchard being developed in Gabalfa Park. The orchard is part of Cardiff Council's ‘Coed Caerdydd' urban forest project, which aims to increase tree canopy coverage as part of the local authority's One Planet Cardiff response to climate change.

Cabinet Member for Parks, Cllr Jennifer Burke and local ward Councillor Dilwar Ali planting a Gabalva apple tree.

With the help of an army of community volunteers a further 47 Gabalva apple trees will be planted in Maitland Park, the Bute Park Community Orchard, and on school grounds during the current planting season.

450 other fruit trees including more varieties of apple, as well as pears, plums and cherries will also be planted as part of this year's planting programme.

Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "Primarily, this is about supporting nature, helping clean the air we all breathe, and tackling climate change. That's why we've already planted an area of Cardiff the size of just over 25 Principality Stadium pitches with new trees since Coed Caerdydd began two years ago, and it's why we're aiming to plant another 30,000 new trees this season - but being able to reintroduce a little taste of history to Cardiff's green spaces at the same time is really quite special."

31/01/25

The last record of Gabalva apples in Cardiff's green spaces dates back to the time of renowned horticulturalist Andrew Pettigrew, who was Head Gardener to the 3^rdMarquis of Bute from 1873 to 1901, who described three trees of this variety growing in the grounds "here at Gabalva" as being "about 35 feet high, with trunks thicker than a man's body."

According to an issue of the Gardener's Chronicle published in the Pettigrew era, this variety of apple was "sufficiently good for a late dessert apple" and a "very valuable one for culinary purposes in the early months of the year" but even in the Victorian era, they appear to have been rare, with Pettigrew talking of how he had "shown specimens of the fruit to good judges at different times, but none of them knew it."

Orchards are an important food source for wildlife with spring blossoms providing an excellent nectar source for many insects such as bees, hoverflies and moths. Later in the year, windfall fruits feed invertebrates, birds and mammals. Fruit trees also provide important nesting opportunities and contribute to vital ‘dead wood' habitats.

Regular community tree planting sessions are being held at locations across Cardiff between now and April 2025. To volunteer to help plant trees in your area, visit:  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/coed-caerdydd-46791623513