We live across the street from this old orchard, owned by Farmer Ron Rieske, who died several years ago.  Since his death, the orchard has been looked after by our friend, Mike Clayton.  This last year the Provo Bench Canal Company chose to dissolve, meaning irrigation to fields and orchards in most parts of Orem was cut off, including water to these beloved trees.

Last spring we had an unusually hard frost during the weeks of pollination, so most of our Utah County lost all tree fruit.  The blossoms simply died.  We had no fruit–peaches, plums, apples, cherries–this summer.  Losing the crops has made it a little bit easier to say goodbye to the orchard, which is slowing dying from lack of water.  Recent rains have relieved the trees a bit, but there future is grim.

Below is the Italian plum tree Farmer Ron planted especially for me.

I walked through the orchard today, to feel the sadness there.  The trees are in distress.  The leaves are curling and dry.  What a shame to lose these 4 acres of fruit trees, trees we have loved the 33 years we have lived here.

In the middle of the orchard I came to the apricot tree, and what did I see??  “Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!”  Blossoms in October!!  I could hardly believe my eyes.  How is it possible that this tree is blossoming now?  I think this is it’s swan’s song farewell to the world.  I was moved by the beauty of the blossoms.

The black berry patch is also dying.  I’m so glad I took starts from these berry bushes and brought them to our back yard, where we are now harvesting berries all summer long.

It’s the end of another era.  There used to be cows in this pasture.  There used to be fruit on these trees.  There used to be a harvest.  It has all come to an end.  It’s time for us to move on too.