Growing apples.  It seems simple, right?  You plant a seed, it grows into a tree, you pick the apples, and then you sell them.  But its not that simple at the Cornell Orchards, or for that matter, at any of the commercial orchards across the country.

We started our tour of the Orchards at the old apple trees planted a hundred years ago when the orchard was just starting; big trees you could sit under and enjoy the shade.  But the trees that make up the majority of the Orchard look entirely different.  I never would have imagined that the best apples would come from a twig-like tree growing 3 feet from a neighbor on either side.  These odd-looking plants allow the sun to reach the fruit, producing higher quality apples that can be sold as table fruit for more money than apples from the larger trees.

I was struck by the complexity of an seemingly simple operation.  It all starts with the breeding of the apples to create the perfect combination of flavor, texture, resistance to disease and pests, and storability.  Cornell has invented many apples over the years, including the well-known Empire, and recently came out with two new varieties: Snap Dragon and Ruby Frost.  In addition to creating new types of apples, creating perfect trees is just as important.  By grafting, pruning, watering, and spraying, the Orchards is able to grow excellent quality apples in high quantities.  Once picked, some apples are processed into apple cider while others are sold or stored for the spring (they can keep up to 10 months in a room with carbon dioxide and little oxygen!).  From the breeding to the selling of the apples, the apple production system is far from simple, and I know I will appreciate each bite of that Empire I pick up at the dining hall a bit more knowing all the research and hard work that went into getting it there.