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Thanks to Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply (originally started by our founder Amigo Bob Cantisano), a collection of some of our favorite species and varieties will be available for pre-sale through their website beginning the 2024/25 Bareroot Season 

November 11, 2024 

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The SOLD OUT Varieties listed below are for informational purposes only, ones we have sold over the years, and are the result of our passionate searches throughout Northern California, the Sierra Nevada and Western States to re-discover the historic, agricultural, living library still in existence. These trees and plants, left over from the 1800’s and early 1900’s Gold Rush era, were discovered on historic mining camps, ranches and homesteads and have become climate resilient with no human attention for the last 100 plus years. They give the best fruit and nuts in conditions that most fruit and nut trees cannot endure with large annual temperature variations.

These  grandmother trees have learned to thrive under the most harsh conditions, and with uncertain weather patterns, we want to make them available to growers, gardeners and communities throughout the West Coast.

We have personally found these trees and have taken cuttings directly from the 100+ year old grandmother trees that still cling to life in ghostly, historic orchards. The Felix Gillet Institute trees are very rare, exclusive plants – some may have only just been rediscovered.

95% of plants available during the 1800s are no longer available today.  We are saving what is left before they die. 

 You can become a Mother Orchard Supporter and help us in our efforts to discover more rare, historical trees and care for our collection of over 250 trees.

Ten of these varieties will be available through Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply this year in our 2024/25 Collection. 

Thank you for all your Support!

Bigelow Cherry

Bigelow Cherry

Store/Cherries
SKU 00107
$0.00
Sold out
Product Details

This dark red to purple, medium to large cherry is super succulent with rich, deep purple juice. It was the top taste winner in 2013 FGI taste trials. It bears a very large crop on an irrigated, yet untended tree planted in the late 1800’s. Excellent fresh and dried, wonderful in pies. Ripe in late June to early July at 5400’.

The healthy, vigorous mother tree is growing in Sierra City, Sierra County, at 5400’ on the canyon of the North Yuba River, twelve miles northeast of Downieville. A thriving mining town established in 1850, Sierra City peaked at 3,000 folks in the 1860’s. The population was 221 at the 2010 census. We have begun to locate the Gillet era trees in this town, and have found many great cherries, pears and apples that will be offered in future years.

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Bigelow Cherry
Store/Cherries
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