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Summary

Linear earthworks interpreted as tree planting banks of a 19th century orchard, which had been largely cleared of trees by the mid-20th century, are visible on visualisations derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017. The earthworks have possibly been levelled by 2002.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ORCHARD (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

South West Heritage Trust, 1838-1848, Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments (Cartographic). SDV359954.

The earthworks correspond with land parcel 221 recorded as ‘Woodburn Orchard’.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

An orchard is shown in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 1135-1136 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

The orchard has been largely thinned out.

Meridian Airmaps Limited, 1966, MAL/66084, MAL/66084 V 162-163 07-DEC-1966 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363137.

Linear banks are visible as earthworks.

Google, 2019, Google Earth Pro, EARTH.GOOGLE.COM XX-XXX-2002 ACCESSED 01-NOV-2019 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363088.

The area of the earthwork banks has been largely levelled.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2020, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

Parallel earthwork banks, circa 3.5m wide, are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1966. The banks are closely spaced and are aligned across the contours of the west facing combe slope, occupying an area of approximately 0.30 hectares. The visible banks correspond with land parcel 221 on the mid-19th century Parish Tithe Map which is recorded as ‘Woodburn Orchard’ on the accompanying Tithe Apportionment. An orchard is also shown here on the early 20th century Second Edition Ordnance Survey map, although it has been largely thinned out by 1946 and completely cleared by 1966. An orchard in this location supports the interpretation that the earthworks are the remains of 19th century tree planting banks, the fruit trees having been established on the earthworks for increased soil depth and improved drainage. Aerial imagery taken in 2002 shows that much of this area has been levelled for a sand school or paddock, although earthworks may still survive to the west.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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