Vancouver’s legendary Old Apple Tree may have slumped over in June 2020, but a new sprout from its original root system has grown to continue its legacy.
To celebrate the exemplary tree, Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Commission is presenting the Old Apple Tree Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Old Apple Tree Park, 112 S.E. Columbia Way, where apple and tree lovers alike can celebrate its life. There will be live music, arts and crafts, and a free apple-pressing station. Those who want to join the latter activity are encouraged to provide their own clean apples and containers.
Some festivalgoers may even have a chance to receive a tree cutting from the Old Apple Tree and mesh its history into their own backyard. The titular tree, planted in 1826 at Fort Vancouver, is the oldest of its kind in the Northwest and is considered as a leading force for Washington’s apple industry.
Urban Abundance, a Clark County nonprofit, will also host a apple harvesting session at the Historic Orchard, where the fruits will either be pressed at the festival or donated to the Clark County Food Bank. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, visit www.urbanabundance.org.
For more information about the Old Apple Tree Festival, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry.
