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LEAP receives Project Canopy forestry grant

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Volunteers clear the spring on LEAP’s forest trail.
Volunteers clear the spring on LEAP’s forest trail.

FARMINGTON – Life Enrichment Advancing People (LEAP) received a $2,500 grant from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to improve an existing forest orchard and to plant new apple trees on its property on the Farmington Falls Road.

According to LEAP’s Executive Director Darryl Wood, there are at least 30 heirloom apple trees on site that have become overgrown and have ceased to be productive. The grant will help pay for equipment that volunteers can use to open up, or “release” the existing trees so they get adequate space and sunlight to again start producing fruit.

Other parts of the grant money will be used to purchase apple trees from a local nursery to augment an existing small orchard and to plant trees along a community trail system.

“This project is a continuation of an ongoing effort to get people outside doing healthful things,” said Wood.

Plans for the future include trail improvements for better access, and the creation of an educational forest where people can learn the variety of trees in the area and the benefits of forest biodiversity.

Recreation can be expensive, said Wood, but it doesn’t need to be. “There is a peace and harmony in a well-balanced forest that benefits humans and all the woodland creatures”, he said.

The Stone Soup Gardens woods includes an overgrown field, mature softwoods and hardwoods, rocky outcropping and a bubbling spring, and is located 1 mile from downtown Farmington.

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8 Comments

  1. For those interested in heirloom apples it’s worth noting that apple “expert” John Bunker, Jr. is presenting a talk today (Saturday, Apr. 5) on his 35 year search for heirloom apples in Maine. Bunker is the author of a book on heirloom’s, Not Far From the Tree. The talk, which begins at 3 pm in the Avon Town Hall on Route 4, is sponsored by the Sandy River Business Association and is free.

  2. Bill, I am looking to find someone to help me identify the varieties. I have a contact, Karen Y. from New Sharon I am going to reach out to. Do you know an expert? We are just starting this process.
    There are several very old, very large trees in a field which I think are the “brood stock” for many of the others which are a variety of ages and more scattered about.
    We wanted to add an old Maine Variety “Black Oxford” but apparently they are in high demand and had sold out by the time we got the grant, so we settled for Honey crisp.

    Anyone can get involved as we will have a number of volunteer days on the property this year. Call 491-5983 if interested.

  3. Woodwise, John Bunker is the state’s expert on heirloom varieties. Years ago he collected what heirlooms I have, moses wood, sweet sal, Winthrop Greening, black oxford. I have other non heirloom varieties too. You are welcome to scions.

    John Bunker lives off Rt.3 on the road to Belfast.

  4. Woods wise as far as clearing around the trees along the trail system that’s a good idea. This will allow the sun in as mentioned which will benefit these trees. The track record for the trees being taken care of in the small orchard has not been very good. From a tax payers standpoint these money’s would best be used to bring the existing trees up to snuff before adding more.

  5. Bill. Old Hoss- sorry I missed the Avon discussion, but I appreciate the heads up on John Bunker, I will be looking him up.

    Concerned- the new trees were part of the grant so I need to proceed as contracted. I was not involved in the original plantings in the small orchard but did what I could last year to reclaim them. From now forward this should not be a problem…..

    If anyone wants a tour, just let me know:)

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