Orchards grew as a major economic activity of the neighbourhood of Prestwood in the second half of the 19th century and through the first half of the 20th century.  This was in response to the extension of the railway to High Wycombe and Great Missenden, providing quick and ready access for fresh fruit to major markets in London and the Midlands.  Before the advent of the trains, fruit-growing was part of the self-sufficient domestic economy of local farms, all of which would have had a small group of fruit-trees close to the farmhouse, mostly for home consumption.  During this time a number of local varieties were developed and these provided the foundation for the expansion of orchards to occupy whole fields in the late 19th century. 

By the early 20th century the centre of Prestwood was dominated by orchards that were so concentrated that char-a-banc parties were organised from London in spring for people to admire the sight of a profusion of trees dressed in white blossom. In the second half of the 20th century competition from abroad with faster and widespread transport and mass fruit production from a smaller number of farms, led to the demise of the small local orchard as a viable economic proposition. 

Most of the former orchards in Prestwood were built over in a major expansion of the population of the village in the 1960s to 1980s.  Remnants survive at Collings Hanger Farm, Andlows Farm, Greenlands Farm (now Woodlands), the Polecat Inn, and further afield at Little Kingshill (Old Orchard), Cobblershill & Holmer Green.  Isolated trees from former orchards also survive, mostly in gardens.