Episode 199 · February 21, 2017
199: Kanin Routson on Apple Tree Diversity
Studying the genetics of an iconic and incredibly wide-ranging fruit.
In this episode
Kanin, has devoted his life to heritage apple tree diversity. In the pursuit of apple knowledge, Kanin has researched apple varieties from historic homesteads across Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.During this research, he documented 34 known apple varieties and 110 unique trees of unknown origin. He has collected and propagated unique varieties of heritage trees from numerous small homestead orchards in Northern Arizona, as well as Capital Reef National Park and the historic Philmont Scout Ranch and Chase Ranch in New Mexico. This research and further research on wild apple genetic diversity led Kanin to complete a Master’s degree at Northern Arizona University and a Ph. D at the University of Arizona.Kanin’s most recent project is co-founding Arizona Cider, a local hard cider company based out of Prescott, Arizona. This project involves all steps of the cider production process, including the pressing, fermentation, aging, and blending of the cider, as well as the propagation of unique southwest heritage apple trees and over one hundred French, English, German, and American apple varieties.
Our Guest
Greg was super excited to talk to Kanin and talk about the history of Apple Trees and find out why there is so much diversity in this very popular fruit tree. Kanin’s interest in apple orchards started young and prompted him to pursue his PhD to study this fruit tree even further. Find out why and what he is doing now with all that research!!
- Growing up with a special interest in apple trees and fruit trees
- His pursuit of historic fruit tree heritage while getting his degree
- Why he had to expand his interest based on the limitation of a good question
- The reality of Johnny Appleseed
- How orchards were connected to homesteads in early American history
- Why cider was so important back then
- The story of the Rhode Island Green Apple from the early 1800’s
- The southwest American history of the apple trees
- Why the first apple trees in the southwest were all from apple seedlings
- How, and when, the grafted apple trees started to show up in the southwest
- What the difference is between primitive, cider, and kitchen garden orchards
- The summer, fall and winter apples options
- Why certain apples have been selected for market ready conditions
- How climate variability is impacting the apple genetics
- Using DNA to identify apple and how that was accomplished
- How cider is made and why the varieties are so complex
- His goal to make apple cider
- How he learned to graft from a grafter from the old country who had a significant claim to fame
As well as
- His failure – not staking his apple trees
- His success – learning how to graft and to propagate trees, and developing his network
- His drive – having passion on so many things and an extremely long to-do list
- His advice – plant trees! Learn how to propagate trees and open up your opportunities, become a fruit explorer
Kanin’s Book Recommendations
Michael Pollen’s: The Botany of Desire (specifically the chapter on apples)
Jean Giono: The Man Who Planted Trees
How to reach Kanin
Website: ArizonaCider.com
Email: Kaninroutson@gmail.com
UrbanFarm.org/AZCider
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