The Apple Orchards of Arbor Day Farm
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| A sure sign of spring, and of delicious
goodness to come, the beauty and fragrance of apple blossoms
are a tradition at Arbor Day Farm. |
From the time of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton, apples have
been a familiar—and delicious—feature of Arbor Day Farm.
Generations of apple-lovers have traveled to the Farm every year
to enjoy the sight, smell, and taste of some of the region’s
best apples, apple pies, and cider. That tradition remains strong
today in the famed orchards of Arbor Day Farm.
Among the most popular commercial varieties grown at the Farm are
Jonathan, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Winesap apples. The
McDonald block of orchard is currently one of the most productive
sites at the Farm. These mature trees were planted in 1976. A well-tended
25-year-old tree can produce up to 2,500 apples each year.
In other orchard sites at Arbor Day Farm, newer varieties of apple,
like Gala, are being grown. These orchard renewal sites, planted
as part of the process to replace older, less vigorous trees, promise
to give even more variety to the Farm’s commercial orchards.
Another special feature of Arbor Day Farm is the Preservation Orchard,
which boasts close to 180 antique apple trees representing 165 different
varieties that are grown for education and preservation. These old
varieties also contain genetic material from hundreds of years of
human selection, and may someday help provide the genes needed to
create varieties suited to a changing climate.
From trees covered in springtime blossoms, to apples bursting with
flavor, the orchards of Arbor Day Farm continue to offer their bounty
to guests of all ages.
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| The orchards at Arbor Day Farm have
been cherished by generations of apple-lovers. |
Principles you can use…
Dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees can make an attractive, and productive,
addition to many private yards and landscapes. For beauty, shade,
and the delicious fruit they provide, apple trees deserve consideration
in the home landscape. In selecting trees, make sure varieties are
grafted onto hardy rootstock appropriate for your climate and growing
conditions.
To learn more…
Publications:
A free publication, “The Tree Book,” from The National
Arbor Day Foundation offers tips on how to prune and care for fruit
trees. Trees can also be ordered from “The Tree Book.”
For your free copy, write to: The Arbor Day Foundation,
211 N. 12th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Web sites:
More information on apple and other trees available and suitable
for planting in your region can be found at:
The National
Arbor Day Foundation - to learn about the apple varieties right
for your climate and soil conditions, the special attributes of
each apple, and such practical considerations as pollination requirements
Apple Journal - for a
wide range of topics concerning apples and apple-growing
Heirloom
Fruit Trees – for information on heirloom fruit trees from
around the world
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