THE first phase of a project to preserve and protect Tamar Valley variety fruit trees was completed with the planting of cherry trees at Cotehele House garden last Thursday.

The planting was carried out by artist Mary Martin and James Evans, who both live in the area.

The two had collected cuttings from trees, which were the last remaining in an abandoned orchard, and trees which were being felled.

In all, 46 cherry trees are to be planted. Mary and James are self-taught fruit tree experts who, in their spare time over the last 25 years, have collected many different threatened varieties of apple, cherry and pear from the valley.

The trees being planted at Cotehele have been propagated from varieties saved by the couple.

The National Trust?s Mother Orchard project at Cotehele aims to create a traditional orchard of the three types of tree, helping to ensure the survival of a number of wholly distinctive

varieties.

Lewis Eynon, property manager for Cotehele, said he would like to extend his gratitude to Mary and James, who were a real inspiration to everyone.

He said: ?Without them, who knows how many varieties would have been lost forever?

?Cotehele and the Tamar Valley have a rich market garden history and this project will help to protect these varieties as well as providing an excellent educational resource.?