Living Pioneers

by Ellen Osborn

It is thought to be the oldest and largest Keyaki outside of Japan. It is unknown why they brought a single tree, usually considered valuable for lumber, except that it reminded them of home. To enjoy this special tree, visit Wakamatsu at 941 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, during one of their public events.

County. It still produces a few apples.

Bringing fruit trees west had been an American custom since the days of Johnny Appleseed. John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, found his niche by sprouting apple seeds and selling the apple saplings to westwardbound settlers who would need to plant fruit trees to meet one of the requirements to keep the land they were homesteading. Even after his death in 1845, the practice continued. Incidentally, a genuine Johnny Appleseed tree descendant can be visited at Halloran’s Apple Acres in Apple Hill where the El Dorado Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution planted it for school children to enjoy.

In a meadow near Larsen’s Apple Barn and Bakeshop on Larsen Drive, Camino, in Apple Hill, is an impressive, gnarled and obviously old apple tree. It may have been planted as early as 1860, when the Larsen family arrived in El Dorado

The Chinese miners were closely associated with the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus Atissima,) a native of China. This invasive non-native can be found in almost every corner

Take in the sights and smells of winding country roads through leafy apple groves and Christmas tree farms, as you travel to premium wine vineyards and wineries. Why travel for hours? Within miles of our doorstep sits the expansive El Dorado County Wine Region. If you think great wines only come from well know regions, think again. Better yet, taste for yourself. El Dorado County wineries compete in the same wine competitions as the Napa and Sonoma wineries, and have earned comparable medals and wine ratings.