There was a touch of panic after I decided to start this project - it was just forming as an idea when I heard that the trees being pulled out at Shepparton would be burned as soon as they had dried out - and before the fire season started. So with help from people in the fruit growers association I set off to Shepparton in a rented moving van - fortunately with a friend - and looked at the mountains of trees awaiting their fiery end.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlRp74s6G67TOhNZkWebuNCRSRIzzeeGczuSN1bKXJOVU14Y3BDQPv2sx5ZN65HsZSvT6HT6nZ8aUqy1V5Chi47ZjOMbmktkHXcwAY4dfbH49zud-qdAdytCVKciKMdRVsrPVandEE1c/s320/2013-09-25+11.22bonfire+-+mortality.jpg) |
remains of the William pear trees |
Three great piles of William pear trees that were already planted and growing there when Marley's father bought the orchard in 1948 or 49. All around other trees were blooming - their fate sealed by being a different variety suitable for the fresh fruit market.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItjrWVlk7oa0lUvcSeRFOtv6ud_NqBmGzojMUZbpSkpVIZD7Y8vVwkY7hz9japmLW1qxjYIwPLVlzPCBw1WYwmJDRdofX-02AT_UOODhq7M8wOgIeIqtwrJya3T1CV8cT-MyVtv6l0w0/s200/2013-09-25+11.22packham+pear+blossoms.jpg) |
Packham pear blossoms |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d0Dll1cc_7sOiiunU5m_sFZBGX5rUUbVuHu1xU7STqMZu7-KK72tVtPHev1y4Z7L7cKGuqN8apzcPbsfgkGUAYaiYioWaqH1_m9l7P1C-0RuJmcHWZD-2sWCAzfkdL1zO2a2vnPOi6c/s320/2013-09-25+14.21apple+lean+out.jpg) |
new apple trees leaning out of their double rows |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdSu6L_cP3GQzhTrzY8vvO0EP3hqSooQMoCXX3IzHgotp6RVM1reN548awHSxp1tlqAVrA2Mam7nn9nEVdTwolB6ePcNYVz_y0CB0zoD_B4ntC9uFQ9cnVDTez5MewFhJPA3zbbYtPKU/s320/2013-09-25+14.21apple+blossom.jpg) |
apple blossoms |
As it turned out the orchardists were flat out that day - there was a storm with rain coming and the trees had to be sprayed beforehand. All around you can see the different way the newer trees are trained - apple trees in double rows leaning out must yield their fruit more readily and likewise open to the sun as needed.
One thing I was glad to have was a strong Dutchman to cut, and roll and wrestle the big ones into submission:
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