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Famous fruit: Zollinger's apples
bring people to River Heights
NURSERY STOCK:
Zolinger's specializes in cider and trees. / Photo
by Diane Denning
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By Diane
Denning
October 13, 2008 | RIVER HEIGHTS -- More than
15,000 trees grow on a fruit and tree farm that
has been in the family for three generations.
At least 1,000 trees have branches drooping from
the weight of round, juicy apples ready to be
harvested.
Zollinger's Fruit and Tree Farm is located at
1000 River Heights Blvd. The farm was started
in 1904 and has been successfully operating for
over 100 years. Ron Zollinger is the current owner,
but the farm was first started by his grandfather.
"I've been involved with the farm my whole life,"
Zollinger said. "But, I took over the business
in 1980."
Zollinger owns about 50 acres of land and rents
another 40 acres. When the farm was first started
it was almost double the size it is today. To
protect the land the farm is on from being sold
into development, the family had it put into a
conservation easement.
"Whoever buys this land is obligated to run
it as a horticulture business," Zollinger said.
Zollinger's farm grows all types of trees including
maple, honey locusts, crabapple, Swedish aspens
and the sweet-smelling Canada red chokecherry.
These trees can be purchased in various stages
of life and varying sizes.
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Recently they have started growing their trees in
containers made of fabric, instead of plastic. The fabric
containers automatically root prune the trees while
they are growing. This method is a new procedure for
growing trees.
"This eliminates quite a bit of work and saves a lot
of labor," Zollinger said. "It has been pretty successful
over the last 10 years."
Zollinger's is also known for their apples and apple
cider that come on sale around this time of years. The
apple trees are bulging with 13 different varieties
of apple including red delicious, golden delicious,
McIntosh, and empire. Zollinger said this year's apple
crop is quite small when compared to other years. Usually
the apples last until the first part of January, but
this crop will last only until just after Halloween.
"Fruit can have a tendency to get into a cycle," Zollinger
said. "This year the cycle is light."
Even though the apple crop is small, Zollinger said
they will have enough apples to make their cider.
"I get people from all over the county coming to get
this juice," Zollinger said.
Emily Pope is a resident of River Heights and a neighbor
to Zollinger's Fruit and Tree Farm. She has known the
family for years and considers them some of her closest
friends."I really have a lot of admiration for the Zollinger
family and what they do," she says.
She looks forward to Zollinger's apples and especially
their cider each year, as do her children and many of
her grandchildren. They all enjoy the delicious, pure
tasting apple cider Zollinger's makes. Pope said as
soon as the cider goes on sale she heads over and buys
a gallon to drink and a few gallons to freeze.
Zollinger said his favorite part about the fruit and
tree farm is being able to work with the plants.
"You can take all the classes in horticulture, but
there is still a lot to learn when you start experimenting,"
Zollinger said. "There are many things about plants
that are still a mystery."
Zollinger's Fruit and Tree Farm employs between 12
and 18 employees depending on the season. One of Zollinger's
sons works on the farm full time and plans on taking
over the business one day. Zollinger said he feels fortunate
to still be in business.
"Not many family businesses last for this many generations,"
Zollinger said.
The farm is open for business Monday through Saturday
from 10 am to 5 pm. Apples and cider are now on sale.
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