The Trinity Heritage Orchard Project has been created to 1) preserve the horticultural heritage of Trinity County, 2) care for existing, heritage fruit trees at Lee Fong Park, 3) demonstrate techniques for care of fruit trees and other plants, 4) promote use of heritage fruit trees as a food resource, and 5) provide a focal point for agritourism activities and value-added product marketing. 

 The project proposes instructional features and demonstration plantings at Lee Fong Park in Weaverville, California.  Lee Fong Park already contains a large heritage orchard of apple and pear trees.  These trees will be supplemented by heritage fruit trees and other heritage plants that have been relocated (through cuttings) from pioneer homesteads and mining claims.

In the fall, 2006, apples and pears were collected from 14 locations, including heritage orchards at Steiner Flat (BLM), Lee Fong Park and Ranch House, Eagle Creek Ranch and the Shiell Homestead in Wildwood.  63 samples were submitted for expert identification.  Varieties found included Hubbardston Nonesuch, Roxbury Russet, Sweet Bough, Lawver, Rhode Island Greening, Twenty Ounce Pippin, York Imperial, Swaar and Pecks Pleasant.

A workshop in October 2006 on "Preserving Fruit: Freezing and Dehydrating" helped residents learn how to take advantage of the fruit produced by heritage fruit trees.  In February 2007, workshops on "Fruit Tree Care and Maintenance" and "Pruning to Restore Neglected Fruit Trees" demonstrated techniques to save old fruit trees and bring them back into production.

Scionwood was collected from 15 varieties of heritage fruit trees in February 2007.  Benchgrafts on standard and semi-dwarf rootstock will be propagated.  Plans are to plant the cloned trees at Lee Fong Park and the Trinity County Fairgrounds in the spring, 2009.

Detailed information is contained in this report.  SAREP Final Report 8-28-07