I'm on the cusp of starting something. It's a bit of a personal project that could turn into something major, I'm just not sure yet. I'll know more as things happen or not, but here's where I am right now, on the cusp.
At this time of the year driving around our area one can see quite a number of fruiting apple trees on the roadsides. You will know from reading this blog that I'm interested in heirloom/heritage fruit varieties, we've planted quite a number in our three orchard areas here at Struan Farm.
I've decided to see how much I might be able to find out about old fruit (and nut) trees that were planted and still survive around the district, learning as much as I can about their history and varieties. In some ways this is an extension of something John and I did almost ten years ago now, when we walked over the neighbouring farm to the old Huia homestead site to take cuttings from a huge fig tree still growing and fruiting there. I'm calling it the "Huia Fig." We now have two of those fig trees growing at Struan Farm. The one in the Pet Paddock in particular is thriving. I picked the first ripe fig yesterday, the first of many!
I'm interesting in preserving both the fruit trees and their stories, since I don't want either to be lost. So I've started to put the word out on FB, have just set up a new community FB page called Piopio Heritage Fruit Tree Project and in our local Piopio newsletter "BirdTalk," asking people if they'd be willing to contact me about trees on their properties. People are able to post information directly on the FB page without needing to see me if they don't want to! I suspect I'll end up ringing people John went to school and grew up with, those who most likely have old fruit trees on their family farms, to see if I might call in and talk about their trees. Friend Sandy Dawson from Greenmount Llamas contacted me to say that they have an old pear tree on their farm near the original homestead site on the property that dates back to 1895. It's fruiting right now, she invited me to come see the tree and take photos.
The fruit is quite crisp, rather like a nashi. So I've got my first variety to try to identity. When I learn how to graft, and about the right rootstock (sometimes quince is used for pears) I will return so we can try to grow more of this particular variety.
In starting to do my research I've learned that this same thing is happening across the country, so I'm not alone in my thinking. Most notably South Coast Environment Society has undertaken an "Open Orchard Project" for many years now. The goal of the project has been to get a diverse range of old varieties of healthy heritage fruit trees back in the local community in order to preserve both the fruit and the heritage, as well as teach skills and give people access to locally grown food. To date the project has identified over 80 varieties and planted over 7,000 fruit trees in Southland. They've visited over 35 old orchards, most planted between 1850 and 1910, mapping, photographing and sampling varieties to identify them properly with external assistance. The organisation is also interested in helping people in other regions try to do the same thing.
Let me say upfront I'm not contemplating anything on this scale. I am interested mostly in finding old varieties that grow well in our area that might be saved through propagation, along with their stories. I have contacted SCES for advice, ordering their "Open Orchard Handbook." If they are able to introduce me to anyone else trying to undertake the same thing in the Waikato or Taranaki regions I'll make contact with them as well in an effort to avoid reinventing the wheel.
For me it's about learning, saving the fruit, and telling the stories. Stay tuned.
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