Workshops – Books – Tours – Trees – Plants

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  are available for pre-sale through their website for the 2024/25 Bare Root Season 

Felix Gillet Collector Trees

*

Below: the SOLD OUT Varieties listed are for informational purposes only. These are the trees and plants that we have re-discovered and sold over the years. They 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. Most of these trees 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.  It is our goal to make them available to growers, gardeners and communities throughout the West Coast.

We have personally taken cuttings directly from the 100+ year old grandmother trees that still cling to life in some, often deserted, 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, by clicking on the Mother Orchard link above.

Ten of these varieties are available through Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply this year 2024/25. 

Thank you for all your Support!

Red Astrachan Apple

Red Astrachan Apple

Store/Apples
SKU 00064
$0.00
Sold out
Product Details

This Russian heirloom was discovered in the early 1800s and offered by Gillet beginning in 1884. It is one of the earliest varieties to ripen in Nevada City, mid August thru September. It is a good variety for warmer climates. A beautiful medium-sized apple, with a thin, yellow skin, streaked with shades of red and covered with a bluish bloom. It is moderately juicy, with a tart flavor that makes it more attractive for cooking than fresh eating. It makes the first great apple juice of the season, and is especially good for dried apples, pies and applesauce. Of more than 100 apple varieties that they grow, Tim Bates and Karen Schmidt of the Apple Farm in Mendocino County consider this the best variety for their famous applesauce. Others call Red Astrachans the best for pies. It does not store well, pick ‘em and use within a few weeks. The tree is vigorous, self fertile, and an alternate year bearer. The tree likes most soils, moderate watering, good drainage and full sun. It is a beautiful, ornamental and very productive tree.

The 125+ year young grandmother tree grows in the town of Humbug, in Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park on the San Juan Ridge of Nevada County, CA at 3,250’ elevation. Humbug is the site of one of the original and largest hydraulic gold mines and was a roaring, long-term, large mining town, abundant with wonderful heirloom fruits and nuts that we will be introducing over the next few years.





Show More
Save this product for later
Share this product with your friends
Pin it
Red Astrachan Apple
Store/Apples
Display prices in:USD

PayPal and All debit/ credit cards accepted Upon purchase, Click on CARD LOGO to enter your billing information

All of your purchases and tax-deductible donations support our non-profit!

Thank you!

TO DONATE  via PayPal Giving – Click here

Sign up for our email list by Email-ing us at thefgi@gmail.com and request to be added. 

Like us on Facebook.