In the centre of the part of the farm we call the meadow, halfway between the pines and the pond, is a big old apple tree. This tree makes me think about the life of this property.
The woman who was born here in 1936 says there wasn’t a pond when she was growing up. It was a stream that they crossed every day on their walk to and from school.
Another former owner that I’ve met called the meadow the orchard. Just two apple trees remain now.
This year was an amazing year for apples. Unfortunately, the weight was too much for this big old tree. Several limbs broke, including one huge section. I feel like half the tree has fallen.
As usual, Matt’s Dad came out with his saws and helped me clean up. The apple tree has grown wild for as long as we’ve been here (and maybe before that). Pruning has been on my list, but I have not done it. There were suckers around the trunk, twigs going in every direction and the aforementioned broken branches.
Matt’s Dad cut most of the suckers. We left one big one, as I hope this could become a new tree if the original tree does not survive. He cut up the fallen limbs and I piled the brush at the edge of the meadow. I loaded the logs into the tractor and brought them up to the woodpile.
The tree could use more pruning. With all the work that Matt’s Dad did, I can now get to it a little more easily. And pruning goes back on the list for next year. Then we can maybe finally do something with all of those apples.
This tree has seen a lot of changes to the farm, the people and the surroundings. I hope that it will stay with us and continue to grow as we grow with the farm.
Home on 129 Acres 
What a huge old tree! I hope it survives. Were you able to use any of the apples from it this year?
We had millions upon millions of acorns this fall. It was apparently because there have been drought conditions here on Vancouver Island for a number of years, and the oak trees were feeling threatened. When that happens they make many, many more acorns than usual as a survival mechanism. Nature is amazing!
We’ve not used the apples this year. A few years ago we took a bunch to a local cidery and they made a “community cider” and gave bottles to everyone who donated apples. It was such a lovely thing to do.
I’ve been on the hunt for acorns but haven’t found any in our area. I saw an article about how to sprout acorns, and I really want to try it. I’ve read a few books that talk about how special oaks are in terms of ecosystems and carbon and long impact. We have some, and I’d love to add more to the farm. I have a few spots that would be perfect for a special tree like that.
I love looking and admiring the beauty of mature trees too. Knowing that they have survived much longer than I ever will makes me appreciate the world that has been created for many generations to enjoy. God bless Steve for his labour. God bless you for your work and desire in preserving this beautiful old apple tree. May you all enjoy the abundance of fruit it produces.
Your perspective is so similar to mine, Pam. Trees have so much meaning. Thank you for your good wishes.