The Boulder Apple Tree Project is committed to studying the age, health, history, and genetics of Boulder’s apple trees. In the late 1800s, much of the land in the city of Boulder was planted for fruit production. For a period of time at the beginning of the 20th century, Boulder was one of the top apple-growing states in the nation. Disease, drought, and possibly Prohibition combined to hasten the decline of apple productivity in the state. As commercial apple production in Washington State began to flourish, many of the orchards in Colorado were falling into disrepair or subdivision for development. Most of the remaining trees are ending their natural lifespan now. Time is of the essence for research and preservation!
Our work connecting the ecological and cultural heritage of apple trees in Boulder County helps to create a living resource that preserves the cherished place of apple trees in Boulder culture and provides a bank of historic, sustainable cultivars for the future. Furthermore, building connections among the people who cherish this resource has been vital to the success of the project.
Historical Illustrations
Browse botanical illustrations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pomological Watercolor Collection.
Oral Histories
CU Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry Bert Tolbert discusses the apple trees raised on his property in 1955.
Interactive Map
Explore the location, variety, and ecological information of individual apple trees across Boulder County.
The untold stories of women and children
Although many historical sources focus on the accomplishments and influence of male figures in the settlement of the American west, women played just as big of a role in homesteading and establishing places like Boulder, Colorado. Not only did womens’ work keep the family fed, clothed, and clean, they often acted as the keepers of family history. Women were encouraged to keep diaries and record recipes, which tell their unique stories. This effect is magnified when examining the legacy of apple trees.
Another underrepresented group in the annals of history are children. In oral histories many people mentioned their connection to apple trees through memories. Some of their fondest memories of childhood involve playing in the apple orchards, throwing apples at other children, and eating various apple confections. Instead of simply examining the historical record of important settlers in Boulder, the Boulder Apple Tree Project’s focus on apples allows new narratives to be told because of an awareness of alternative sources like recipes, photographs, journals, and oral history.
Iciminda Yockey
Jennie Pruden
