SKU: 74430202265

Old School Apple Tree

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Description

Old School Apple TreeEvery rare tree purchase supports historical orchard preservation Limited availabilityreserve up to 5 rare trees per order while supplies last Each handpicked tree includes a durable etched metal display tag and will be shipped in a 6 foot box to ensure optimal growth Standard on Domestic Apple Rootstock The Old School Apple tree, discovered near a historic schoolhouse in Forest City, California, is a remarkable find that combines historical

Every rare tree purchase supports historical orchard preservation

Limited availability—reserve up to 5 rare trees per order while supplies last

Each handpicked tree includes a durable etched metal display tag and will be shipped in a 6-foot box to ensure optimal growth

Standard on Domestic Apple Rootstock

The Old School Apple tree, discovered near a historic schoolhouse in Forest City, California, is a remarkable find that combines historical significance with exceptional fruit quality. This tree, standing ten feet tall and thriving in the shade of a large schoolhouse built in the 1800s, produces medium to large apples that ripen in early October at an elevation of 4,500 feet. With bright, yellow-green flesh and skin covered in a powdery pastel bloom, this apple is both visually appealing and delicious. The sunny side of the apple turns a bright red in full sun, while those in the shade develop yellow with red sun spots. The Old School Apple’s crisp flesh, subacid, sugary-sweet juice, and superb taste make it a must-have for fresh eating, apple juice, and cider.

Historical Significance of the Old School Apple Tree

Forest City, originally known as Brownsville, was established during the California Gold Rush following the discovery of gold in 1852. By 1854, the town had grown significantly and was renamed Forest City. At its height, the town was home to the Bald Mountain Drift Mine, the largest of its kind in California. However, a devastating fire in 1865 left much of the town in ruins, and it was never fully rebuilt. Today, Forest City is considered a ghost town, with only a few residents and some original buildings, including the dance hall, schoolhouse, and a few homes, still standing.

The Old School Apple tree’s discovery in this historic town adds to its allure, making it not just an apple tree, but a living piece of history. The schoolhouse, where the tree was found, serves as a reminder of the town’s past, and the apple tree, with its large crop of high-quality apples, is a testament to the resilience of both the tree and the community. The Old School Apple is one of many unique apple varieties found in Forest City, a town that has become known for its high-quality apples, particularly those growing at high elevations with significant chill hours.

Felix Gillet, a pioneering horticulturist who established his nursery in nearby Nevada City in the 19th century, is closely associated with the history of apple cultivation in the Sierra Nevada. Gillet introduced a wide range of fruit and nut trees to California, many of which continue to thrive today.

How to Grow an Apple Tree: Cultivating the Old School Apple

Growing an Old School Apple tree requires careful attention to its specific needs and a commitment to providing the right conditions for healthy growth and fruit production. The process begins with selecting an appropriate planting site, ensuring the tree has the best chance to thrive.

The Old School Apple tree, like many traditional apple varieties, requires a location with full sun. This means it needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Sunlight is crucial for the development of the apple’s bright red color on the sunny side, while those in the shade remain yellow with red sun spots. The tree should be planted in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH level, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. Soil that retains too much moisture can lead to root rot and other issues, so good drainage is essential.

Planting is best done in early spring or late fall when the tree is dormant. This allows the roots to establish themselves before the onset of the growing season. The planting hole should be twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, with the graft union—where the rootstock meets the scion—positioned above the soil line to prevent the scion from rooting. After planting, the tree should be watered thoroughly to help settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

The Old School Apple tree requires a certain number of chill hours, and periods of cold weather, to break dormancy and set fruit. This makes it well-suited to regions with cold winters, such as the Sierra Nevada. Without sufficient chill hours, the tree may struggle to produce fruit, so it’s important to consider the local climate when choosing to plant this variety.

While the Old School Apple tree may produce some fruit on its own, cross-pollination with another apple variety can significantly increase fruit yield. Planting another apple tree nearby, ideally one that blooms at the same time, can enhance pollination. Additionally, the presence of bees and other pollinators in the area will further improve the chances of a bountiful harvest.

Watering is crucial, particularly during the first few years of the tree’s life. Deep watering once a week, providing about 1-2 inches of water, is recommended. As the tree matures, it will become more drought-tolerant, but regular watering during dry periods will support continued growth and fruit production. Mulching around the base of the tree helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, creating a more favorable environment for the tree.

Fertilization is another important aspect of caring for the Old School Apple tree. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic compost in early spring, before new growth begins, provides the nutrients needed for healthy growth and fruit development. It’s important to avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can lead to vigorous vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production. A balanced approach will support both the tree’s overall health and the quality of the fruit.

Pruning is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of the Old School Apple tree. Prune the tree in late winter or early spring before the buds break. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or growing inward. Proper pruning allows for good air circulation and light penetration, which helps reduce the risk of disease and promotes even ripening of the apples.

Harvesting Apples

The Old School Apple tree produces fruit that ripens in early October. One of the notable characteristics of this apple is its ability to hang on the tree for an extended period while retaining its crispness and flavor. This allows for flexibility in harvesting, enabling growers to pick the apples at the optimal time for their intended use.

To harvest the apples, gently lift the fruit and twist it slightly. If the apple detaches easily from the tree, it is ready to be picked. Harvesting at the right time is crucial to ensuring the best flavor and texture. Apples left on the tree too long may become overripe, while those picked too early may not reach their full flavor potential.

The Old School Apple is highly versatile, making it an excellent choice for fresh eating, apple juice, and cider. Its crisp flesh and subacid, sugary-sweet juice offer a delightful eating experience, while its superb taste makes it a favorite for cider production. Whether enjoyed fresh or pressed into juice, the Old School Apple is a standout variety that is sure to please.

Storing Apples

Proper storage of apples is essential for maintaining their quality and extending their shelf life. The Old School Apple is known for its excellent storage capabilities, especially when kept in the right conditions. After harvesting, the apples should be stored in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. A root cellar is ideal, as it provides the low temperature and high humidity that apples need to stay fresh over an extended period.

To store apples, place them in shallow crates or baskets, ensuring they are not touching each other. This helps prevent the spread of any spoilage that may occur. Regularly check the apples for signs of decay, and remove any that show signs of rotting to prevent it from spreading to the other fruit.

With proper storage, Old School Apples can last well into the winter, providing a fresh and flavorful fruit supply long after the harvest season has ended. This makes them a valuable addition to any homestead or orchard, offering a reliable source of food throughout the colder months.

Conclusion

The Old School Apple tree is a historically significant and highly productive variety that offers a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and versatility. Its connection to the historic mining town of Forest City adds to its allure, making it a true heritage tree with deep roots in the history of apple cultivation in California. By understanding how to grow an apple tree like the Old School Apple and taking the necessary steps to care for it, you can enjoy bountiful harvests of delicious apples year after year. Whether for fresh eating, juicing, or storing apples for winter, the Old School Apple is a timeless and valuable addition to any orchard.

 

 

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4.5 ★★★★★
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Peggy Hardman
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 4
Need my own copy.
Format: Kindle
Looking forward to more of her work, and rereading this book. Some very evocative lines awake my granma memories much like the granmother memories herein.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022
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Readergurl
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing Book...
Format: Paperback
It takes a lot nowadays for me to rate any Fiction book 5 stars. I read way more non-fiction, and usually only read highly recommended fiction, or some that's given to me. There are plenty of other reviews here that tell you how it's not a "happy" book (why that matters i dont know), so i wont go on about that part. I dont base my reading choices on whether they have a happy fantasy story. This story is very real. The writing is really good. I have several points that i use to rate a book: the story itself, the actual writing style, the 'entertainment' value, the emotions it brings out - laughter, sadness, etc., and if it's very memorable - either by being very different than anything i've ever read, or by something else about it being very different. The only point out of all of those that i wouldnt give a 5 would be the writing style/prose - which i'd give a 4. It's very good, but not "amazing" to me like some authors are. The author brought me into the characters - where i could feel what they were feeling, and i understood why they did the 'bad' things they did - totally. I felt the way they lived, the area, the poverty... As the story progressed, i stayed up one night for HOURS wanting to know what happened - until the sun rose actually. As the finale was coming - which i had no idea would be the way it was - i was literally gripping the book with both hands and holding it up to my face. I realized this and laughed to myself since i hadnt even noticed. Then - i sobbed thru the last 20 pgs - i havent cried from ANY fiction for a long time. Yes, i get into books and really let them take me away, but this book has a special kind of writing and a special story that i never expected to effect me sooo much. The author THEN does something so amazing at the very end - when i couldnt believe it could get any better. I KNEW what i wanted to happen - and i kept thinking to myself, "no, it wont - because it will just seem to corny if it does." (Even tho i wanted it so much.) She made it happen in a special way, without making it corny but while bringing me the hope and good feeling i needed after all the sobbing. (I dont want to give anything away just in case you dont know the story.) This book scores an A+. If you love good, moving, American fiction you will love this.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2013
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Francophile in Michigan
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
Brava, Ms. Ward
Format: Paperback
I read this novel, along with nine others, for a college literature course. Of the ten, this was the only book to elicit a strong emotional reaction from me. There were moments when I hung my head in frustration, threw up my hands in respect (God bless Ward’s writing style), and wiped my face of tears and snot after crying my eyes out. An incredibly moving and poignant novel. The novel opens with its narrator Esch, fourteen years old and pregnant. She often follows her brothers around, and is constantly surrounded by men as well as the gruesome society of dog-fighting. Esch’s predominant male surrounding is, perhaps, the main influence that encourages her to sleep with her brother’s friends, and to submissively pine for the one boy, Manny, who unforgivingly mistreats her. Though Esch’s character was impeccably frustrating, and borderline stereotypical and archetypal, her faults lie with a motherless young girl, who wants to be wanted and loved. Both frustrating and annoying, this characterization was, at times, unlikable, yet that is exactly what made Esch so human. I applaud Ward’s lyrical writing style, as well her ability to write such gruesome and honest depictions that made me literally cringe when reading. Ward is able to effortlessly incorporate poetic language into her novel that, at times, made me set the book in both awe and envy, knowing I would never be able to produce such a product. I did find there to be a disconnect between the poetic language and the colloquial diction. That’s to say, I found it a bit unbelievable that Esch would speak so poorly to her family and friends, yet express herself so eloquently in her narration. Regardless, I found the poetic language to be successful and moving. I knew before reading the book that it was centered on Hurricane Katrina. However, I was surprised that the novel was centered on the build-up to the hurricane. Katrina itself is more or less twenty pages. The chapter pertaining to the hurricane, as well as the aftermath of the hurricane, were the sections of the novel that I found most captivating. Living through the hurricane with Esch and her family was difficult to read, which is perhaps why Ward chose to limit its description. That said, I wish I had more of Katrina and its aftermath. I waited for the hurricane for 200 pages, and it seemed to end as soon as it started. Though I was unsatisfied by the ending, I appreciated that the novel was a work that was not so much about Katrina as it was about survival and family. I was captivated by Ward’s poetic writing and honest characters. I will definitely be on the lookout for her other works, as well as an avid recommender of this novel.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2015
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Gary Carden
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
00 361 pages Hurricane Katrina spawned an awesome number of literary works
Format: Kindle
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward New York: Bloomsberry $24.00 361 pages Hurricane Katrina spawned an awesome number of literary works, and it may be that, given sufficient time to determine the full merits of Jesmyn Ward’s novel, Salvage the Bones, her work may be the most worthy. Perhaps the theory that great disasters (wars, natural disasters) invariably produce great works of art (operas, novels, paintings, etc.). This theory was often discussed by Flannery O’Conner who commented on the irony of the “creative renaissance” in southern literature which owes its origin to the extensive suffering and injustice associated with slavery and the Civil War. The narrator of Salvage the Bones is Esch, a fifteen-year-old girl living in Bois Sauvage, a predominately black bayou town which happens to be in the direct path of Katrina. Set in the twelve days leading up to, and just after the arrival of the hurricane, the novel presents each day as a distinct vignette. Esch and her brothers spend each day preparing for the terrifying arrival. They have no intention of leaving and attempt to help their drunken father reinforce their shack with sheets of plywood. They collect and store bottles of drinking water. Food supplies tend to consist of Top Ramen moon pies, vienna sausage, potted meat and eggs gathered in the woods. However, despite Katrina’s approach, Esch and her brothers seem to be primarily concerned about their white pit bull, China who has just given birth to five pups. China has developed a reputation in the dog fights that take place in “The Pit” in Bois Sauvage. She is a killing machine, a fact that makes Esch and her brothers the envy of their neighbors. The family’s meager economic security depends on China and each day is spent grooming, washes and feeding her. Indeed they fawn over the big dog, telling everyone that her puppies will grow up to have a killer instinct and therefore, they are invaluable. Much of the intrigue in Esch’s daily life revolves around protecting China and her pups. Skeetah is Esch’s oldest brother and the dog’s self-appointed trainer. Esch has a multitude of problems. She struggles to love her handicapped father and is haunted by the memory of her mother’s death. Now, she discovers that she is pregnant by Bois Sauvage’s “golden boy,” Manny, the boy who put the baby inside her is totally indifferent to the consequences of a rough and tumble frolic in the dark. As each day brings more distress, the homely, pug-faced teenager turns to her imagination, searching for a means to deal with the world around her, and as luck would have it, that is Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, which was a required reading at school. Esch begins to see the people around her as characters in her favorite book. She observes that all the girls in Bois Sauvage seem to be acting like their mythical counterparts: Psyche, Eurydice, Daphne - all of them running away from something or running after someone. However, the mythical character that Esch selects for her own role model is an ominous one. It is Medea, the fierce and vindictive wife of “the golden-haired Jason, who kills her own brother when he stands in the way of her love for Jason; and when that love turns to hate, she then murders Jason’s new wife, Creusa, her father, Creon and even kills her own children. Of course, Esch is not going to harm anyone. Although she is filled with rage at the world around her, she is actually one of the forces that is holding everything together; China, the white pitbull is another. When Katrina reaches landfall, it comes like some apocalyptic act of God, sweeping everything away, including Esch’s home and all of their feeble efforts to battle the rising water. In the end Salvage the Bones acquires a kind of epic grander. Like Noah or Gilgamesh, the waters finally withdraw, leaving a confused and humbled Bois Sauvage. How much has been lost? The puppies are gone and so is China - but given the dog’s character, she may have survived. Perhaps Skeetah and his brothers will find her. The reader is left with a singular image. Skeetah, the oldest brother sits in the wreckage of their home, and while everyone else is searching for missing children, furniture and cars, Skeetah looks at his brothers and announces, “She will come back to me.” Esch tells us: “He will watch the dark, the ruined houses, the muddy appliances, the tops of the trees that surround us whose leaves are dying for lack of roots. He will feed the fire, so it will blaze bright as a lighthouse. He will listen for the beat of her tail, the padding of her feet in the mud. He will look into the future and see her emerge into the circle of his fire, beaten dirty by the hurricane so she doesn’t gleam anymore. So, she is the color of his teeth, his eyes, of the bone bounded by his blood, dull but alive, alive, alive, and when he sees her, his face will break and run water. And what of Esch who loves the white dog? She says that China will look at me and know “I am a mother.” Hopefully, it is apparent that this is a remarkable book. However, it was almost lost in the loud braying and confusion that dominates much of publishing business now. Even so, it won the National Book Award in 2011. Now, after a strange silence, it is beginning to get the attention that it deserves.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
A
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Amazon Customer
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
however the family takes precautions leading up to the storm to plan for one of the worst natural disasters in American history
Format: Paperback
Salvage the Bones is a deeply personal account of a young woman, Esch, and her family's life in the few days before Hurricane Katrina. The novel is set on the family's land in a small town in Mississippi. She lives with her father, her mother seven years deceased, and her three brothers, Skeetah, Randall, and Junior. Esch has recently learned that she is pregnant with the child of one of her older brother's friends. Skeetah takes care of his pitbull, China, helping her give birth and grooming her to fight for the family's honor. Randall plays basketball in hopes of gaining a college scholarship. Junior is a product of the mother's death, as she passed away giving birth to him, and leaves the family to mother him for the rest of his life. The novel describes the family's relationships with one another before the hurricane will rock them and test their connections to one another. The novel is not set decisively around the hurricane, however the family takes precautions leading up to the storm to plan for one of the worst natural disasters in American history. Jesmyn Ward provides a semi-autobiographical context of the hurricane, as she was born in a small, rural community in Mississippi, similar to the one she describes in Salvage the Bones. Ward writes commonly in this tone, and her newest novel, Men Who Reaped, describes the lives of four men in her life that had suffered deaths far too young. The novel is poetic in its writing style, and a beautiful read. Ward describes herself as a "failed poet," however, by reading the novel, it is clear that she succeeds in her poetry. Metaphors follow each line of description, and Ward is able to connect figurative language with the colloquial language of characters living in a rural community. It is undeniably pleasurable to read through the pages. Ward creates lovable characters and leaves the reader longing to discover what happens after the hurricane, and how the favorite characters are surviving in the wake of the natural disaster. There is a large dog presence throughout the novel, in addition to family ties, the novel provides a sense of companionship and a person's human relationship with his dog. The dog becomes a member of the family, and the relationship is called into question with the severity of the storm and the need to hold onto the most important things in times of crisis. I am overwhelmed with the poetic nature of this book and applaud Ward as an exceptional writer.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2015

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