The apple trees at the McMillan Orchard were replanted on April 11, 2009. The McMillan House is the white building in the background. The subdivision Colt Park is in the left background. West Confederate Avenue is on the right. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Gettysburg National Military Park’s largest orchard was replanted last month. The McMillan Orchard on the top and slopes of Seminary Ridge consists of approximately 26 acres of apple trees.
See the following McMillan Orchard related posts:
McMillan Apple Orchard Preparation on September 23, 2008.
McMillan Apple Orchard: The Preparation Continues on September 24, 2008.
The McMillan orchard covers 26 acres and covers most of the fields seen in this photograph on the east and west sides of West Confederate Avenue, and the eastern slope of Seminary Ridge. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Some of the trees that cover the right (west) side of West Confederate Avenue. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Some of the trees that cover the east side of West Confederate Avenue and the east side of Seminary Ridge. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
We’re now on the north side of the McMillan House… This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
…looking back towards the National Guard Armory. This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Currently Licensed Battlefield Guides are having an easy time pointing out the Union line on Cemetery Hill (out of sight on the right) as they drive south along West Confederate Avenue. It is easy because the National Park Service cut down many of the larger trees in this area a couple of years ago. When the apple trees grow to maturity the view will probably be blocked, and we might have to actually get out of the car to show visitors the view from here. Having this orchard where it was in 1863 will make the walk worth it. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
The trees have also been planted in the low marshy ground east of the McMillan House. The Round Tops are in the background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
We’ve moved to the south side of the McMillan House to the area where the stone wall meets the post and rail fence. This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
In this area, the trees are not planted close to the top of the ridge where the taller grass is. They are planted closer to the bottom of the ridge where the area is mowed. Colt Park is in the left background. The dome-shaped Pennsylvania Monument is in the right background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
A little farther south along the wall, we can see the white bases of the trees as they are planted closer to the top. The Pennsylvania Monument is in the left background. The Round Tops are in the right background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
If you are in your car, and want to get an idea of how far the orchard goes to the south, there is a landmark in this area as you approach the brown and white sign for the McMillan Woods Campground. Look at the orange flagging on the small wooden post near the stone wall on the left. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
A closer view of the post with the orange ribbon. The Round Tops are in the background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Looking over the wall, the southern boundary of the orchard is the fence that runs east to west and intersects with the fence running north to south (left to right). This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Here’s a closer view of the north to south running “worm” fence or “saw buck” fence that is the southern boundary of the McMillan Orchard. Colt Park is in the background. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
See the following related posts:
Peach Orchard and Millerstown Road Fence Updates on April 29, 2009.
McMillan Apple Orchard Preparation on September 23, 2008.
McMillan Apple Orchard: The Preparation Continues on September 24, 2008.
Gettysburg’s Forney Ridge Apple Orchard Begins to Bear Fruit on August 26, 2008.
Peach Trees in the Peach Orchard on April 7, 2008.
Peach Orchard Progress on April 4, 2008.