Want to have the Old Apple Tree in your front yard? The Urban Forestry Commission granted the Farm School, a group that focuses on farming, art and education, permission to take cuttings from the tree and work with community members and organizations to plant descendents throughout the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Each newly planted tree comes with a placard containing information about the project and the original tree.
The tree’s history begins in 1826 when British Lt. Emilius Simpson, cousin of Hudson’s Bay Company Gov. Sir George Simpson, arrived at Fort Vancouver and discovered apple seeds in his coat pocket, placed there by a female dinner guest before his voyage from London. The seeds were planted and the tree grew in its current location near the Vancouver waterfront.
If you would like to work with Farm School to plant one of these tree cuttings this spring, email portlandfarmschool@gmail.com by March 1.
