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Written by:
Nicole Stevens
Monday, July 28, 2008
When we bought the farm 10 years ago we were lucky to inherit a very old, extremely large apple tree . This tree graced the front lawn and every fall brought forth an abundance of large juicy apples. Our neighbours sent over apple pies and crisps and several dozen jars of canned applesauce were put on the shelf for winter baking. Life was good until one year it came to a screeching halt. No more apples, buds, blossoms...nothing. Determined to bring her back to life my mother did some research and decided to carry out an official Apple Wassail. Tradition says that in the mid 16th century various traditions were carried out to bless the apple orchards in hopes they would produce a bountiful crop the following year. Traditions such as toasting the tree with Ale while reciting various poems, placing milk soaked bread at the base of the trunk and our neighbours particular favourite banging various pots and pans to several catchy ditty's. Oh and this all took place in the wee hours of a Sunday morning. One early fall morning a bunch of ladies at our barn were venturing out on their annual autumn trail ride. Perfect time to bless the tree! We quickly gathered up bottles of apple cider, several shot glasses, soaked bread, copies of poems/songs and proceeded to stand around the tree to carry out our rituals. Now If our neighbours didn't think we were crazy to begin with they sure did after we started singing at the top our lungs in our best off key shower voice while banging our wooden spoons on every roaster and saucepan we could find. We had our share of heads pop out windows and vehicles slow down wondering what the heck we were up to. After several toasts and carolling we heaped a bunch of manure at the base and hoped for the best. My husband was especially worried when I carried the baby down to watch, he was concerned we were sacrificing the baby to the tree gods. Well, so much for tradition and rituals, the tree has not produced an apple for years and is as close to dead as they come. So on to plan B.... I bought three apple trees on sale in hopes of replacing that one. Yup, I broke down and paid $15 for each one and lined them up in the backyard amongst the vegetable garden. Originally I bought two and come to find out you need two different kinds of apples to ensure proper pollination. Good to know. I now have two Golden Delicious and one Royal gala...hopefully these guys will grow with the use of old fashioned dirt (although they are behind the house so we could get away with the singing and dancing) 
Why not check out Lara's blog for more great talk about stories.
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10 comments so far...
Re: blessing the apple tree
That's too bad the blessing didn't work, it's a cute story though.
Good luck with your new apple trees
By Amber on
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
How sad to not get the apples any more. I hope your new trees will bring lots of yummy fruit for you.
We lost a peach tree this year. The ice storm that came through this winter must have been too much for it to take. Come spring, we didn't get a single spot of green on it. I'm glad there are 3 peach trees left, but it is still sad to look out in the back yard and see that stump.
By Princess Momma on
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
I think your blessing worked wonderfully - it brought you four new apple trees and you will have quadruple the harvest to look forward to.
By Mrs. Organic on
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
Haha, what a great story! I have several older friends (probably around your mom's age) who I could picture telling just such a story, and I love to listen to them. I would have been willing to bang a pot for you:)
$15 sounds like a reasonable price to me. I know my in-laws bought a 2-year-old blueberry bush for $45 and that seemed a little steep, but it will pay for itself down the line I'm sure.
Gala's are my favorite apple, so pretty AND delicious. I hope they turn out well for you.
By mykidsmom on
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
Oh man! I thought you were going to say the blessing worked!!! Good for you for getting new trees. We built our new home two years ago and still not a tree in sight. It makes me sad.
By The Lazy Organizer on
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
Please share any more info you gather on apple trees. We planted 3 last year and lost one. The other 2 have struggled with 'rust' this year and one is a little puny compared to the other.
Cute story! The tree gods! lolololol
By Donna on
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
Donna, If they are still living next year I definately will. I hate to tell you something and they all keal over. Here's hoping. A friend of mine did say to toss in the hole a bunch of hair...yuck I know but the protein helps to add nutrients to the soil. I am sure hairdressers would love to give it away, I would just use horse hair in the spring.
By Nicole Stevens on
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
lolol I'm picturing my DH with me coming in with a bag of hair! He just might ground me from going out anymore...lol.
Seriously, with 5 boys, and home-cut Flowbee haircuts, I can come up with some hair. Have U seen my DD's hair, she wouldn't let me have a centimeter of it! ;-)
But I'll have to try this if I can manage to get in the ground without disturbing the roots....one more thing...my tree that is doing the best is one that I backed over and cracked at the ground....Dh says its a spiritual thing,lol. Says something has to be broken to really grow!;-) Of course I said that I'd be happy to hit all the trees in the yard, but then again, my oldest just turned 16 so he might end up doing it for me!
By Donna on
Saturday, August 02, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
It is almost like losing a good friend, no? I am truly sorry to read about your tree. We'll hope for the best with your new trees.
Jen
http://www.ListPlanIt.com
By List Mama on
Saturday, August 02, 2008
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Re: blessing the apple tree
The blessing of the tree is an awesome idea! We have a couple of old trees that are starting to slow down. I think I see a party in our future! Thanks for the idea. We planted some more new ones just in case too...we'll see...
By warren on
Monday, September 22, 2008
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