Pine River Orchards

One day I asked my husband, Joe, if we could clear some space and put in a few apple trees, like I had as a girl growing up. Since our yard was more like a forest than an orchard, we started clearing.  At first, we planted just a few trees. We started with 25, which then increased to 50, then to 100 (you get the idea!), and ultimately, over the past 22 years, our little orchard has grown to house the 420 various fruit trees that make up Pine River Orchards! The majority of our trees are apples, pears, plums and a few peach trees. In addition to our numerous fruit trees, our grounds will also treat you to as many as 200 blueberry bushes! It is a “hobby that has gone awry” as my husband would say!  However, it keeps us busy (which we love) and we truly look forward to each new season. We are lucky to welcome back old friends each year, as well as, make new friends with each and every season. ​The fruit season starts when the blueberries begin to ripen in mid to late July.  At that point, we open the orchard to the public every weekend for the entire season, through October. By mid-August, the apples are ready for picking! The first apples of the season are of the Zestar and Lodi varieties.  The Zestar apples are a very large, sweet, zesty apple - great for eating, sauce, and pies. The Lodi is a very delicate apple but works well for apple butter, sauce, and dries well for snacks.  The other varieties fall into suit thereafter and start to peak from September thru October.  We have about 26 varieties of apples - old and new.  We have planted some of the old varieties like: Braeburn, Mac, and Cortland and we have also some varieties that you may have never heard of like: Strawberry Chenango, Cox Orange Pippin, and Liberties.
Our goal is to give everyone that visits the chance to experience a good old fashion orchard. A place where you can take your family to pick apples and experience a nice outing for the afternoon, or even the whole day! We have several benches that we invite you to sit back and relax on, rest, people watch, or take photos on with your family. It is no doubt that in the years to come, you’ll look back fondly on your family time picking in the fields. If there is anything you’re curious about or any knowledge we can pass along to you – please ask!  We love to share what we know and have learned over the years.  We hope that you come and visit our little orchard and that you will love the experience as much as we love sharing it with you.
Looking forward to seeing you in the coming season!​   Cindy & Joe