Community Orchard

Initiated June 2026

Following on from our Apple Tree Mapping project we made an offer to the community with funding from Meath County Council and The Heritage Council.

Limited Time Offer

Would you and a neighbour like to grow your own apples while helping make Navan greener?

We gave away FREE apple trees to pairs of neighbouring households. By planting together, we'll help create greener streets, support pollinators, increase biodiversity and enjoy homegrown fruit for years to come.

How it worked

✅ At least 2 neighbouring households applied together.

✅ One FREE apple tree per participating household.

✅ Open to Navan area residents only.

✅ Limited numbers available – first come, first served.

✅ Closing date and distribution of trees was 8th August.

We asked for:

Please send us a Direct Message or Email with:

👉 name

👉 eircode

👉 Details of your neighbouring household(s) applying with you.

What we get in return:

📍eircode to create a general high-level map to help future apple tree planters.

📸 Photo of the tree planted.

📸 Photo of next season's fruits.

Together, let's plant more than trees—we're growing stronger communities, supporting wildlife and creating a greener Navan, one neighbourhood at a time. 🌱💚

Project supported & funded by the Heritage Council and Meath County Council

Our Apple Trees

Due to the summer season we provided potted trees, native irish heritage bare rooted stock is available in winter.

These are the trees our new suburban fruit orchards are going to be growing.

Fertility

It's not complicated but apple trees can be very onely and do much better with a partner.

Partially Self-Fertile Diploids

Can crop on their own, but perform better with 1 partner tree.

Braeburn,
Charles Ross,
Egremont Russet,
Howgate Wonder,
Laxton's Superb,
Lord Lambourne

Self-Sterile Diploids

Require 1 compatible partner tree.

Beauty of Bath,
Discovery,
Elstar,
Grenadier,
Idared,
Katja,
Rosette

Triploid

Require 2 different compatible diploid trees.

Jonagold

Flavours

There are many varieties that will grow well in County Meath and each has a distinct flavour profile.

1. The Very Sweet / Honey

These apples are low in acidity, with sugary, warm, and rich flavors.

Beauty of Bath: Sweet and juicy with distinct strawberry notes. (Group 2)
Laxton's Superb: A very rich, Cox-style, honeyed and aromatic flavor. (Group 4)

2. The Fresh / Balanced Sweet

These apples provide a traditional "apple" taste, balancing pleasant sweetness with mild crispness.

Idared: Crisp, aromatic, and well-balanced. (Starts sweet-sharp, mellows in storage.) (Group 2)
Lord Lambourne: A reliable, balanced apple. Sweet with a consistent aromatic quality. (Group 2)
Discovery: Sweet and crisp with a distinct, pleasant strawberry/raspberry undertone. (Group 3)

3. The Sweet-Sharp / Tangy

A very popular modern taste profile: crisp, crunchy fruit with a noticeable "tang" that follows the sweet start.

Katja: Juicy with a definitive sweet-sharp, lively kick. (Group 4)
Elstar: A high-quality sweet-sharp apple. Aromatic, zesty, and rich. (Group 3)
Rosette: Crisp with a sweet-sharp taste, notable for its unique berry-like notes (and pink-flushed flesh). (Group 3)

4. The Savory / Nutty (Complex)

These apples possess rich, deep flavors, often associated with traditional heritage varieties.

Egremont Russet: The quintessence of this profile. Nutty, sweet, with a drier, distinct texture and hint of spice. (Group 2)

5. The Sharp / Acidic (Culinary)

Primary cooking apples. They have high acid levels that break down into complex flavors when cooked.

Grenadier: Critically a very sharp cooker. It is classic for breaking down into a perfectly smooth, white, fluffy puree. (Group 3)
Howgate Wonder: Mildly flavorful for a cooker (low sharpness). Noted for keeping its shape when cooked and excellent storability. (Group 3)

6. The Dual-Purpose / Versatile

These apples offer a robust enough texture and acidity to cook well, but are pleasant to eat fresh, depending on personal preference.

Charles Ross: Mildly sweet with light acidity. It keeps its shape excellently for baking but is crisp enough for eating. (Group 3)
Braeburn: A standard for duality. Crisp, aromatic, and sweet-sharp. It works well in tarts but is primarily an eating apple. (Group 4)
Jonagold: A favorite dual-purpose fruit. Very sweet, aromatic, and honeyed. It can be eaten fresh, juiced, or used in sauces. (Group 3 - Triploid)

Planting

Planted well, the trees will grow, and the apples will soon follow.

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