Stamp, Parks & Rec collaborate on community orchard

     Did you know there is a fruit orchard growing in Monticello?

   Earlier this summer in May, Monticello Parks and Recreation and Monticello resident Keith Stamp came together to establish and plant several fruit trees and bushes behind the apartment complex near Dollar Fresh. The orchard is located in a clearing near the mowed trail P&R has established.

   There is a total of 10 apple trees and two pear trees, as well as raspberry bushes.

   Stamp said he had the idea to help create an orchard after years of growing dozens of fruit trees on his own property.

   “We bought our property from Stan and Leo Cook,” he recalled. “It was essentially a hayfield, and now we have 28 fruit trees.”

   Both Stamp and his wife, Sandy, grew up on and around family farms that contained gardens and orchards.

   “We both have fond memories of those times…,” noted Stamp.

   When Stamp contacted Jacob Oswald, P&R director, about planting fruit trees someone in the community, Stamp said he wanted to offer a way to stimulate people’s interest in learning about and observing the growth of plants and wildlife.

   “Jacob was very receptive of the idea,” he said.

   Oswald said it was important to plant everything in a location that provided plenty of space for the trees and bushes to grow and expand.

   “This is a newer space for us and it fits in with the natural prairie grass and our new trail,” noted Oswald. “We are looking at adding some educational signage, too.”

   “As they develop the area more,” suggested Stamp, “the orchard will be easily seen along the road as the trees get bigger.”

   Oswald said it’s always nice to have people in the community come to him with ideas for projects and programs.

   “People see a need for something like this in the community,” he said. “So they bring it to us to help find a solution. Keith championed this project, we identified a space, and it was volunteer-led.”

   The Stamps covered the cost of the trees and bushes. City Council member Dave Goedken offered used fencing to wrap around the trees to keep them safe from the deer and other wild critters. Monticello High School students volunteered their time in early May for Day of Caring to help plant everything.

   Much like Stamp, Oswald also sees this project as pure educational.

   “People can see the progress of the growth,” he said.

   Right now, the trees and, especially the raspberry bushes, are quite small. Stamp predicts it will take a few years before anything starts to produce.

   “The trees might take a few years, but the raspberries could be ready by next year,” he suggested.

   Both apple and pear trees are low maintenance, which means they won’t require much attention.

   “Raspberries are also not too difficult to take care of,” he added. “They might need a modest amount of maintenance in terms of pruning in the spring.”

   Oswald said continued collaboration will be needed in terms of care and maintenance.