Apples from Wellwood Orchard – A taste of Vermont

Located high on top of a hill above Springfield, Wellwood Orchard has breathtaking views of the area.

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Apples from Wellwood Orchard – A taste of Vermont By MARILYN LEDOUX The ShopperOctober 26, 2016 Wellwood has many apples available for purchase. Plenty are picked and bagged. Stop by before November 1 to get yours. Photo by Marilyn Ledoux Wellwood has many apples available for purchase. Plenty are picked and bagged. Stop by before November 1 to get yours. Photo by Marilyn Ledoux SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Located high on top of a hill above Springfield, Wellwood Orchard has breathtaking views of the area. The air around the orchard is cool and crisp, and the trees were laden with the last remnants of this year’s apple crop recently. The orchard had its beginnings in 1920, when men named Chapman and Wellwood became partners and purchased the orchard. Roy Mark was a 16-year old boy at the time, and was working for Allen Brothers at their apple orchard in Westminster, Vt. “That is where I learned the trade from Russell Allen,” Mark said. “Later I planted my own small apple orchard in Saxtons River. When Wellwood Orchard was up for sale in 1981, I sold my small orchard and used the money toward the purchase of the Wellwood Orchard. “It was tough starting out; however, things are better now.” Since Mark has owned the orchard, he has expanded the crops to include a selection of berries in season, so under his direction there is always something going on at Wellwood. Starting in June, people can pick their own strawberries, then raspberries, blueberries, and as fall approaches, many varieties of apples. Mark also has a selection of peach trees, plum trees and pear trees and all are a “pick your own” project. The farm is family-oriented and also features a petting zoo, where children can see and pat different farm animals not available outside the country. The retail store at Wellwood is run by Mark’s companion, Lillian Dunn, and features a wide variety of Vermont-made goods. During this interview, the aroma of Dunn’s fresh apple pies wafted through the air as they finished baking in the kitchen. Only on weekends, the store features cider donuts for sale. Other items include: fresh apple pies, apple breads, jams. jellies, pumpkins, all maple products, fresh pressed cider, woods cider products, decorative (Indian) corn, fudge in many flavors, candy, honey, and a variety of Vermont handmade crafts. This year they have added table grapes, and they will be ready to pick in about two years. “Everything we sell here is made in Vermont,” Dunn said. Fall signals the end of the growing season, and the store will be closing Tuesday, Nov. 1, for the winter. The crew will spend the cold winter days pruning the apple trees to get them ready for next year’s crop. Mark is planning to take some time off, and the orchard will reopen in the spring under the direction of his four daughters, Aggie, Linda, Patty and Sherry, who are owners of the orchard corporation. Mark said he will be in the background, overseeing the operation, and will be able to step in if he is needed. Anyone who plans to visit the orchard in the spring, call 802-263-5200 for picking conditions and hours of operation. The orchard is located on Wellwood Orchard Road, off the Weathersfield Center Road in Springfield. There are many varieties of apples for people to mix and match or choose a favorite. Mark also offers free tractor-drawn rides to and from the orchard every weekend in the picking season, making it easier to carry apples to a vehicle.