Blossom falls: 80% of small orchards in England and Wales lost since 1900

Traditional orchards, havens for wildlife, have been lost to housing and farmland, National Trust reports

A century ago, small orchards were the glory not only of the countryside but of towns and cities across the UK, buzzing with life during the summer and, at this time of year, rich with the sight and scent of blossom.

But research released as this spring's blossom sweeps across the UK has found there are 80% fewer small traditional" orchards, which are regarded as particularly important for flora and fauna, in England and Wales compared with in 1900.