Orchard News
Our Apple Trees are in Bloom!
Heirloom Apple Grafting
In March we performed heirloom grafting. Some of the previous grafts on our trees had failed, meaning that the trees were developing to bear fruit that would not be the heirloom varieties we prefer. These graft were taken from our nineteenth century Turley Winesap tree, which visitors will remember as hollow. We want to guard against a day when that tree will no longer be with us, and preserve its fruit for future generations. We also grafted Colorado Orange apples, which are a very rare nineteenth century variety preserved by our friends at the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project. Here’s where you can read the story of the preservation of the Colorado Orange apple tree.
Winter Pruning
We pruned the trees in our apple orchard in February, while the trees were dormant. Pruning in winter while our trees are dormant gives them a vital reset with many benefits, including:
Boosted Fruit Quality: By thinning out branches the remaining buds get more nutrients, leading to larger, sweeter apples rather than a high volume of tiny ones.
Structural Integrity: Removing "dead, damaged, or diseased" wood keeps the tree strong, and provides protection in the event of a late Spring snowfall.
Growth Stimulation: Pruning while the tree is asleep triggers a vigorous growth response in the Spring, helping shape the tree's height and spread for easier picking.