What's Old is New - Espaliered Apples

That demolished orchard we saw on our drive down the valley surprised me enough that I headed for the internet to see what I could learn.  From recent publications by Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture and food I learned that apple farming is changing rapidly here in Ontario.  On the one side production is shifting to high density orchards, and on the other hand consumer preferences are shifting to new varieties.

Ontario's apple production used to rely on older varieties like Northern Spy and Red Delicious.  However in recent years the return from these varieties has ranged "from disappointing to disastrous".  Consumers have shifted rapidly to new varieties like Honey Crisp (my favourite0 and Sweet 16.

If you could read the price tags you'd see Honey Crisp at $70.00 a bushel, and Spartan (an older variety) at only $31.00 a bushel.  You might think Honey Crisp is an expensive apple (and you'd be right).  But turn it around and see it from the farmer's point of view, there's an apple that will double my return.  He'd be thinking of planting a few of those new trees sooner rather than later!  And that's exactly what farmers are doing.

This is that field of downed apple trees that got me thinking about all this.  Once you make the decision to renew your orchard, it's an easy step to plant at high densities.

Right across the road is this high density orchard, the first planted in the Thornbury area I believe.  The down side is the cost.  Planting 1000 trees per acre with all the associated fencing costs $10,000.00.

There other rising costs too, like labour.  All orchards here depend on migrant workers, usually from Mexico, to do the harvesting and sometimes the pruning.  These trailers provide acommodation on one farm near here.

Some orchards are now being planted at 2000 to 3000 per acre, unheard of densities until now.  Why?  The return from a high density orchard is about double the return from a traditional orchard.  Here's where the 'espaliered apples come in.  A trellis system of fencing will allow each individual tree to be tied up and grow vertically - a lot of work.  Add deer-proof fencing around the outside and you're ready to harvest - after spending as much as $45,000.00 per acre.

So in the future I expect to see more and more orchards like this, including the demolished orchard across the road.  And you'll be eating a range of tasty new varieties rather than the traditional ones.