From Terhune: In Celebration of Old Trees
Gary Mount is known far and wide for his apple tree growing expertise. He has planted 100 different varieties of apples and many (all) in experimental ways.
It all started in 1975 when we bought Terhune Orchards’ 55 acres of mostly apple trees (some peaches and a few pears). All huge trees which had grown on Cold Soil Road for at least 50 years before we arrived. Huge trees 20 feet or more tall grown 35 feet apart per acre. We tried hard at the beginning to set and know these trees — each with root system under the ground as huge as the trees above the ground. It turned out that no matter how big the trees grow, the apples only thrive on the outside 2 feet of the branches. All the other space on the trees is taken up by the trunk and big branches. So many hours were spent up in the air 30 feet trending, pruning, spraying, picking up and down 35-foot ladders.
So understand Gary is never satisfied with “let’s do it the same as last apple tree planting.” No more like “let’s try something new.” May have something to do with being on the board of the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association. We have traveled all over the world to walk through apple orchards (mostly in the snow in the winter when we have time to travel). Of course, everyone has “new ideas” starting with the root system. All commercial apple trees are grafted — the wood from the type of apple tree you want is grafted on a root system.
Our huge trees were grafted onto crab apple roots we learned that dwarf root systems keep the tree small at 8 feet tall and can be grown many more per acre — thus many more 2-foot branches holding many more apples. Over the years, Gary has planted trees 380, 670, 950, and now 1675 per acre — a lot more apples.
So we cut down all the huge trees and pulled out the huge roots — except for the 50 or so trees in the front that can be seen as you drive by or come down the driveway.
I call this orchard my romance orchard because who wouldn’t want a kiss under a huge apple branch. Gary calls the orchard “work.” So we held onto these trees, pruning them back some. A few years ago during the pandemic, the romance orchard became our wine tasting orchard — even better than a kiss. We love these old trees and sitting in the orchard to enjoy a glass of wine and the view.
So this year I decided we should celebrate these long-lived trees with an art contest.
During the month of September, any and all artists are welcome to paint or draw or represent any way they want our century apple trees. Then submit the artwork by Friday, September 30, to be judged by Michael Madison (Elaine’s husband and well-known local artist) and David Bosted historian and trustee and board member of the Ellarslie Museum in Trenton.
The work must be “ready to hang” for two shows — the first at the farm on Friday, October 7, and the second at opening night on Sunday, October 9, at the Ellarslie. Shows will continue until December.
No charge for submission but all pieces must be “ready to hang.”
1. Artists: If you love trees, here is an opportunity to show that love and have your Tree Art exhibited.
2. This year in September we are having a free art contest. Artists are invited to paint the old apple trees at the front of Terhune Orchard. The trees are in and around the parking area. There is no fee for submitting pieces.
3. A panel of Judges will select the best submissions and display the winners at Ellarslie Museum in Trenton (opening October 9th) and at the Terhune Orchard Wine Barn (opening October 7th) through December.
3. Any art medium is OK, including paintings, drawings and photography. Judging will start on September 24 at Terhune Orchard and continue until October 2. Artists can offer their artwork for sale if they like, with a portion of the purchase price to support the arts in Mercer County. Art must be ready to hang. Artists must ensure their own artwork if they want insurance.
5. Scientists agree: Trees will be crucial to slowing Climate Change. The extraordinary heat waves Worldwide in July and early August 2022 show the need to focus on trees as a buffer against Climate Change.
Call for Singers
The Hopewell Valley Chorus (HVC), singing together since 1959, would love to welcome new singers in all parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) to the group. The HVC is a non-auditioned chorus, dedicated to providing new and exciting opportunities to learn, perform and, above all, enjoy a wide variety of choral music under the musical leadership of musical director, Dr. Heather Mitchell, and pianist, Stefanie Watson.
Registration/open rehearsals for the fall season and the December holiday concert will take place on two Mondays, September 12 and 19, at Hopewell Valley Central High School, located at 259 Pennington Titusville Road, Pennington, at 7 p.m., in the Chorus Room. Member dues are $75 for the season. Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are required to join, and masks are worn during rehearsals.
