USM Gorham Orchard

In partnership with the Environmental Science Dept, the USM Grounds Crew, and the USM Office of Sustainability, a small fruit orchard was replanted on the site of an historic orchard during Earth Week, April 2011.

Hardy apple rootstock was generously donated by the U. Maine Cooperative Extension Service in the spring of 2011. A year after being planted, scions were grafted onto the rootstock in April 2012 and some whole grafted trees were planted to replace rootstocks that had not survived the winter. Visit the orchard plan here for detailed information about the trees.

The intent of the orchard is partial restoration of an historical apple orchard downslope from Robie-Andrews Hall on USM's Gorham Campus. Historical sources indicate that apple orchards had been in existence for many years prior to the creation of the Gorham Normal School when the land was part of the McLellan Farm. Photographs from as early as 1916 (below) document the small apple orchard of interest, which, given the size of the trees, was in existence since the late 1800s. Remnant trees from this period still exist, as do some planted after this period. One still bears apples!

Apple varieties were chosen to represent heirloom apples that are hardy and have a range of desirable characteristics from taste and texture to keeping ability and disease resistance. Types of apples in the orchard include Black Oxford (A Maine Heritage Apple), Duchess, Fameuse, Wealthy, Pumpkin Sweet, Honeycrisp, Sweet 16, and Liberty. Two seckel pears are also planted on the downhill edge. 

Check out the orchard plan to see where each variety is planted and the approximate size they may reach in adulthood. The trees are currently spaced close together in nursery. Those that thrive will be spaced appropriately in a few years. 

 Photo: Two Sweet 16 scions grafted onto M111 semi-standard rootstock from Fedco

The varieties were grafted on to three different sized rootstocks and as they mature, the trees will be three different sizes: semi-dwarf (8-12 feet tall), semi-standard (10-15 ft tall), and standard (up to 25 ft tall). Apples can be expected in five to ten years and the trees can live 50 years or more.

This orchard is to be used as a living learning laboratory for all members of the USM community and the surrounding area. No chemical pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers will be used on these trees. 

Spring/Summer 2012 Update: the trees are budding and most of the grafts have 'taken' and are thriving. When you visit, look for bandages on the trees where the scion of the heirloom apple variety was attached to the rootstock. Click here to see photos of the grafting process using the 'whip and tongue' method.