Robert Matthews said he has plans to replace some older trees and introduce more popular apple varieties.
WILBRAHAM – Robert Matthews of Bolles Road, the pediatric dentist in West Springfield who bought the 87-acre apple and peach orchard which was part of Rice Fruit Farm for more than 100 years, said he has plans to make the orchard more productive by replacing some of the older trees which are no longer producing as much fruit.
“We will be planting some dwarf trees and introducing some more popular apple varieties,” Matthews said.
Matthews said he is exploring different avenues for marketing the fruit.
Joseph Kulinco, who has harvested apples and peaches from the orchard for 35 years, will continue to manage the orchard and harvest the fruit, Matthews said.
He said he is continuing to have problems with people trespassing in the orchard, hauling out bags of fruit and littering the property.
Nobody should be on his property without his permission, he said. Matthews said he has clearly marked the orchard property with no trespassing signs.
Most of the trespassers are coming in from Highmoor Drive and Rice Drive, he said. Matthews said people walking dogs are not allowed on the orchard property.
There are trails from the end of Highmoor Drive that lead to the Rice Nature Preserve, but hikers accessing the nature preserve should use the trails and stay out of the orchard, Matthews said.
Matthews said he will continue to keep people apprised of his plans for the 87-acre apple and peach orchard.