Revival under way at forgotten Duluth apple orchard

Efforts are under way to revive a century-old orchard near Duluth that holds unique varieties of apples bred for the Northland's short and unforgiving growing seasons.

Cindy Hale of the University of Minnesota Duluth Sustainable Agriculture Project says some of the varieties may not be found anywhere else, and some are listed as endangered.

The Duluth News Tribune reports the orchard was planted around 1911 to develop new apples for Duluth area farmers and residents.

It was abandoned by the 1970s. But a new generation of apple lovers, researchers and local food promoters say they stumbled onto a treasure trove when they rediscovered it in 2009, hidden among pine trees that had sprouted over the past 40 years. About 35 apple trees have been identified across five acres so far.

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Information from: The Duluth News Tribune

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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