The intriguing architecture of ancient apple trees is best seen in winter. Many of these now-abandoned trees were planted here over 100 years ago in groups of four or five for easier picking. Some of these tree groupings, with twisted trunks and leafless, angled limbs swaying, appear as arboreal stringed quartets and quintets in perfect harmony.
We suspect that virtually all the old apple trees around here were planted to produce hard cider and applejack liquor. Their apples are extremely tart – what some call “spitters” in memory of what they did after their first bite. In days of yore in rural areas, cider often was preferred over coffee and tea (because water in those drinks frequently got contaminated) and even more popular than beer and wine (because cider was less expensive). (Brooklin, Maine)