Cornwall's Feral Apple Orchard: A Genetic Hedge Against Agricultural Homogenization

7 hours ago7 min read2 comments

A quiet horticultural revolution is unfolding in Cornwall, where a new orchard is cultivating a future shaped by the wild past. Local creatives are pioneering a project dedicated to feral apples—the untamed, genetically distinct descendants of cultivated trees.These fruits, propagated by chance and wildlife, stand in stark contrast to the uniform, commercially grown apples found in supermarkets. Each feral tree is a unique genetic individual, a potential reservoir of lost flavors and crucial traits like disease resistance and climate resilience.This initiative aligns with a global movement, supported by groups like the Agroforestry Trust, that champions genetic diversity as a cornerstone of food security. As industrial monocultures deplete soils and heighten vulnerability to pests, the wild genetics preserved in these feral populations offer an invaluable insurance policy.The Cornwall orchard is more than a collection of trees; it is a living gene bank and an act of conservation, safeguarding a piece of untamed heritage. In nurturing these gnarled branches, the project underscores a vital lesson: the key to a robust agricultural future may lie in the unpredictable, delicious fruit of our feral past.

#feral apples

#orchard

#art installation

#food and art

#Cornwall

#independent arts

#featured

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