The apple orchard planted on Forney Ridge on the July 1, 1863 battlefield has some trees bearing fruit. The Eternal Light Peace Memorial (Peace Light) is seen through the leaves. The monument to the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry is shown on the left. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

The Forney Ridge Apple Orchard was replanted on the east and west sides of Buford Avenue. The Eternal Light Peace Memorial (Peace Light) is in the background. The monument to the 9th New York Cavalry Regiment is in the foreground. The monument to the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment is in the left background. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Replanting orchards on the battlefield is one of the many positive aspects of battlefield rehabilitation. While the controversial act of trees being cut down to open up vistas seen in 1863, over 14,000 trees and bushes have been planted, or will be planted at Gettysburg National Military Park. Oak Ridge is in the background, and the Oak Ridge tower is visible in front of Wolf’s Hill. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

It is interesting to observe that while many of the larger trees do not have fruit, some of these smaller ones contain some mature apples. Culp’s Hill is in the right background. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Approximately 80 trees were replanted in the fields to the east and west of Buford Avenue. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.