Demise of a Cherry Orchard
I remember being fascinated by the vastness of cherry orchards the first time I visited Old Mission Peninsula about 40 years ago. After all, Traverse City and environs was the "Cherry Capital of America".
Over the years we've revisited many times, and each year there seems to be more vineyards and new upscale housing, and fewer cherry orchards. To be sure there are still wonderful orchards, but the peninsula has become a bit more diversified.
Update: Thanks Ger Bosma for another insightful comment. Here's what I learned:
Michigan remains a top producer of cherries in the US, but the State of Washington has emerged as major competition, even selling eating cherries in Michigan! Michigan wineries do make cherry wine, but that is obviously a minor product...major production is of grape wine. Talked at length with a cherry farmer, and he explained the unique hazards of having $300000 on the trees that can only be harvested in a 2 week window.
Demise of a Cherry Orchard
I remember being fascinated by the vastness of cherry orchards the first time I visited Old Mission Peninsula about 40 years ago. After all, Traverse City and environs was the "Cherry Capital of America".
Over the years we've revisited many times, and each year there seems to be more vineyards and new upscale housing, and fewer cherry orchards. To be sure there are still wonderful orchards, but the peninsula has become a bit more diversified.
Update: Thanks Ger Bosma for another insightful comment. Here's what I learned:
Michigan remains a top producer of cherries in the US, but the State of Washington has emerged as major competition, even selling eating cherries in Michigan! Michigan wineries do make cherry wine, but that is obviously a minor product...major production is of grape wine. Talked at length with a cherry farmer, and he explained the unique hazards of having $300000 on the trees that can only be harvested in a 2 week window.