It's hard to believe that apple growing was once one of Salmon Arm's leading industries. The first orchard in the area was planted in 1891 by Anges McGuire. Later growers included Pete Parsons, Robert Turner, Nels Eckland, and Charles McVicker. Killing frosts in early autumn and late spring soon made it obvious, however, that the hillsides were better suited to apple growing than the frost-prone low-lying areas. Growers sold their fruit locally, to the CPR for its dining cars and hotels, and to the mining camps of southeastern B.C.
Not until 1907 did growers pool their resources to pack and sell their products. The Salmon Arm Farmers' Exchange (S.A.F.E.) was born that year and it, as well as other packing facilities set up by independent growers such as E.A. Palmer and Robert Turner, packed and sold all the tree-fruit grown in the area. Also in 1907, Edwin and Sarah Dodd moved to the Broadview area of Salmon Arm and there developed an orchard with the help of sons Fred and Charles. After Edwin's death in 1920, his daughter and son-in-law, Adella and J.C. (Bert) Hanna, moved from Victoria with their young son Stuart to help manage the orchard. Eventually, they took over the business and it became Hanna and Hanna Orchards. For many years it was run as a mixed farm with a Jersey dairy herd as well as the 80 acre orchard operation. Bert Hanna was active in local politics serving on municipal council from 1926 to 1932, and became a leader in the fruit-growing industry, serving as a governor of BC Tree Fruits Ltd. and as a longtime member and managing-director of the S.A.F.E.
By 1941, area apple production stood at 161,000 boxes and rose to 403,000 boxes five years later. Hundreds in the small community were involved in the fruit industry, either as growers or workers in the packing plants. The future of fruit growing looked bright~until the winter of 1949-1950 when a prolonged cold-spell killed or severely damaged many of the trees. Disheartened growers chose not to replant: only a handful persevered. Those who did replant, like the Hannas, endured hard times as they waited for the young trees to mature and bear fruit. Eventually the trees matured and thrived.
There have been many changes over the years, from mechanization, to the types of varieties grown, to the training and cultural methods used in growing fruit. Currently about 45 acres are planted to 25,000 apple trees. In recent years, on-going orchard renovation has reduced the total area planted, yet the number of trees grown has increased substantially. Large old standard trees have been replaced by semi-dwarf and dwarf trees at much higher densities than in the past thereby increasing the total number of trees per acre. (The eventual size of the tree is determined by the type of root-stock the desired variety is grafted onto. Standard rootstocks may grow a tree over 20 feet high, whereas trees on semi-dwarf root-stocks grow 15-20 feet and those on dwarfing root-stocks grow only 8-10 feet.) Dwarf trees have a number of advantages: their small size makes them easier to work; they start to produce fruit and therefore a return on investment after only a few years; and light penetration into the tree is excellent resulting in higher quality fruit.
The Salmon Arm area has traditionally grown fruit without irrigation unlike the semi-arid Okanagan Valley which relies heavily on supplemental watering. While dry years can pose problems, our orchard is ‘blessed’ with heavy clay soil that holds water well so usually fruit-size and quality are excellent. Fruit from this area has traditionally had a reputation for exceptional flavor and keeping-ability, a result of the unique climatic and soil conditions.
Please ensure you place the LNL container back as first located.
A first to find prize available!
Congratulations to chuckles the hubs on the FTF Prize.
PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO THE ORCHARD!!
2022-08-11 Replaced cache but it is no longer a LNL container. The orchard has changed hands from the HANNA's after many long years but the apples are still growing with the new owners. As you will see when you are at the cache, that the apples are being used for another purpose with cider on tap. Enjoy!