A friend was just remarking about how they spent $100 on apples for their annual family cider-making fest. Their own trees are gone but they have the old family press and enjoy the get-together.
I notice quite a few wild, untamed, volunteer, apple trees here’n’there in my wanderings in various places. Some are on state land on old abandoned farms which are now part of public land. Some are in schoolyards. Some are near campus along neighborhood streets. Some are along nearby dirt roads.
The thing about wild trees is that they bear heavily every other year.
So scope out a few of them and time ’em for their season and go get your FREE apples. Cider doesn’t care if they’re full of holes. If you worry about exhaust/dust coating them, just wash em and scrub em in a bleach bath before pressing. I think many folks do this already for their orchard apples.
In time you’ll sort out which trees add what flavors to your cider.
If you’re skittish and shy about gleaning free foodstuffs, just work fast…!
