Nature’s bounty drew dozens to orchard for annual Apple Picking Festival

People of all ages took part in the fourth annual Apple Picking Festival at Orchard Park in Huntsville’s west end on August 24, taking home baskets full of a variety of heirloom apples, munching while they picked. The public orchard off Airport Road is more than a century old and for a time became overgrown. It has been carefully restored and is now a Town of Huntsville park.

Lori and Peeter Sild are the organizers of the Huntsville Orchard Project which began maintaining the historic apple trees and planting new fruit trees and berry bushes in 2014.

“There’s a lot of interest in the festival,” said Lori. “Some years the apples are better than other years – this year’s a pretty good year. The apples are juicy and sweet from lots of rain.”

She said that reaction is mostly positive, with people appreciating the chance to bring their children and grandchildren to spend time outside. Others need just a bit of education about the orchard.

“Some people are disappointed at the size of the apples but they don’t understand that these are trees that were planted by a farmer 120 years ago,” said Lori. “Just the fact that these trees are still alive and producing is really quite miraculous.”

Volunteers prune the trees in the early winter and lay hardwood mulch at their bases to keep apple scab – a fungus that infects both the fruit and its leaves – at bay. Each year, volunteers have also planted a variety of apple and pear trees and berry bushes including haskap berries.

On festival day, they planted a Zone 3 filbert (hazelnut) tree. “They are growing well at our farm so we thought we’d bring one over here too,” said Lori. “We’re trying to continue the edible forest.”

They appreciate volunteer help for orchard maintenance and planting tasks. Email Lori at [email protected] if you’re interested in helping in the future.

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