Wild Apple Trees

The Game of Apple Cores

When my children were small, we played a simple game whenever we enjoyed apples outdoors. After finishing our apples, we would toss the cores into the woods for the deer. It became a cherished tradition, blending playfulness and care for nature.

Wondering About Seeds

Over the years, I often wondered if any of the seeds from those discarded cores ever sprouted and grew into new apple trees. The curiosity lingered, adding an element of mystery to our family’s routine.

Planting Our Own Apple Tree

Later, we planted an apple tree ourselves. Because our growing season is short, we selected a tree grafted onto hardy rootstock. Unfortunately, the scion—the upper part of the tree—did not survive the first winter. However, the rootstock persisted and eventually produced small apples.

Discovery of Wild Apple Trees

This past spring, my husband discovered two wild apple trees at the edge of the woods. Their appearance sparked questions about their origin.

The Mystery of Their Origin

We wondered whether these wild apple trees grew from the seeds in the apple cores we once tossed, or from one of the tiny apples produced by our rootstock tree. The answer is still elusive.

We may never know for sure.