Archived Outdoors

Volunteers work on Franklin’s Cherokee heritage trail

Juanita Wilson (right) and Bob McCollum, co-chairs of the Nikwasi Initiative, plant a tree along the new Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Trail March 7. Holly Kays photo Juanita Wilson (right) and Bob McCollum, co-chairs of the Nikwasi Initiative, plant a tree along the new Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Trail March 7. Holly Kays photo

Local hands are nurturing the Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Trail in Franklin. 

Macon Early College students have made two trips to the orchard to help tend to the young trees. They have cut limbs and brush, planted strawberries, pulled weeds, spread mulch and planted a new “Junaluska” tree.

The orchard consists of heritage varieties of apples that were originally developed by Cherokee people who lived along the river prior to their removal on The Trail of Tears. It is located a half-mile downstream of the big bear pavilion.

The Orchard is named for late and beloved, Barbara McRae, who imagined an apple orchard that would honor the original residents of this area and highlight their contribution to modern food and lifestyle. Her dream came to life and now provides all kinds of benefits. Young people help nurture the trees, and the trees nurture everyone who visits.

To make a contribution to the project, visit nikwasi-initiative.org.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.