Who would consider that eating tasty apple pancakes or drinking delicious apple juice pressed from apples grown in traditional extensive orchards is an act of practical nature conservation? The days that traditional extensive orchards were economically viable are long gone. It is mostly conservationists or hobby farmers who keep them alive. This is despite the fact that the pressing of fruit juices is a centuries-old tradition in Hessen, Baden-Württemberg and other parts of southern Germany. It was this tradition that gave rise to the traditional orchards as diverse habitats and ecological 'treasure chests'. Traditional orchards are home to Hoopoes, Red-backed shrikes, Wrynecks and many other bird species. A targeted demand for food products from traditionally managed orchards gives this habitat a true chance of survival and maintains a landscape element that is characteristic for major parts of southern Germany.