When was the First Apple Tree Planted in Washington?

Washington is known for its vast apple orchards, producing some of the best apples in the world. But when did the state plant its first apple tree? It's a surprisingly difficult question to answer, with a variety of stories and legends surrounding the origins of the Washington apple industry.

The Legend of Henderson Luelling

One of the most popular legends tells the story of a man named Henderson Luelling, who brought apple saplings with him on his journey from Iowa to Oregon in the mid-1800s. The story goes that Luelling and his family were traveling West via the Oregon Trail, and brought with them several bushels of apple seeds and saplings. When they arrived in the Willamette Valley, they planted their saplings and began to cultivate the first apple orchards in the Pacific Northwest.

While the story of Henderson Luelling is certainly compelling, it appears to be more legend than fact. According to historical records, Luelling did not arrive in Oregon until 1847, and it was not until several years later that he and his family began to plant apple trees.

The True Beginnings of the Washington Apple Industry

The real story of the first apple trees planted in Washington is a bit less dramatic than the Henderson Luelling legend. In reality, apple trees were first introduced to the Washington Territory in the mid-1800s by a group of French-Canadian fur traders. These traders, who had experience planting and cultivating apple trees in their native country, brought saplings with them to Washington and began to plant them in the fertile soil of the Puget Sound region.

These early apple orchards were primarily used for subsistence farming, and it was not until the late 1800s that the commercial apple industry began to take shape in Washington. At that time, pioneers such as J.H. Hale and A.L. Webster began to experiment with different apple varieties and growing techniques, laying the groundwork for the thriving apple industry the state boasts today.

The Rise of the Washington Apple Industry

By the early 1900s, the Washington apple industry was in full swing. The state's expansive orchards were producing millions of apples each year, which were shipped all over the country and around the world. The creation of the Washington State Apple Commission in the 1930s helped to standardize growing and harvesting techniques, and the development of modern cold storage and transportation methods made it possible for growers to ship apples farther and faster than ever before.

Today, the Washington apple industry is a major contributor to the state's economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. From Honeycrisps to Fujis to Galas, Washington apples are beloved by people across the globe, and the state's apple orchards continue to thrive and expand.

Conclusion

While the exact date of the first apple tree planted in Washington may remain a mystery, the legacy of the state's pioneering apple growers is clear. Today, Washington is home to some of the largest and most productive apple orchards in the world, and the state's apples are a symbol of the region's agricultural heritage and ingenuity.