WINONA LAKE – People who want to adopt apple trees can do so at the Community Apple Orchard along Pierceton Road and King’s Highway and Winona Lake. This is an organic orchard maintained mostly by volunteers, according to Michael Skipper, Community Apple Orchard director. The orchard property belongs to Grace College and is at the intersection of Packerton and Pierceton roads. Tree adoptions have opened this week for $7 per tree ($5 per tree for non-profit groups or churches wanting to adopt 10 or more trees). The $7 fee will allow a person to harvest all of the apples on their tree or trees until the orchard is open to the general public for harvest this fall. Tree adoptions will start at the front of the orchard at the “A” row, from left to right, and must be adopted consecutively. All trees available for adoption have blossomed and should have fruit this fall, but there is no guarantee of the condition and amount of fruit, according to Skipper. People are welcome to come to the orchard from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays to care for their trees to improve the harvest. Pruning shearers are available. People also may use their organic spray on the tree. People must sign in and out at the orchard and leave a message at 574-377-7699 when they arrive and when they depart. Trees not adopted will be made available for picking as soon as they are ready to harvest. Adoption forms will be out soon on www.communityappleorchard.org and will be available Friday at the orchard. There should be a limited supply of apple chips for smoking Friday free of charge. There will be a bonfire, weather permitting, Friday at 8 p.m. It will be at the apple orchard along Pierceton Road and Kings Highway. There will be marshmallow roasting and lawn games.
