After last year’s light crop, apple trees have come back stronger this year with a larger and better yield, according fruit tree experts.

Even the lack of rain didn’t seem to bother the apples. The state’s drought has had almost no effect on the trees and their fruit because apple trees are normally drought tolerant, said Ranae Morin, fruit tree specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

“The apple harvest is at peak this week,” Morin wrote in an email.  “Honeycrisp and McIntosh are ready for harvest, and most orchards have an abundance of apples this year.”

“After last year’s light crop, apple trees have rebounded with a larger than average yield.  I expect the harvest will extend well into October,” Morin wrote.  

Cortland and Macoun can be picked now, but will have more flavor if picked later in September or early October.  Varieties that ripen late such as northern spy should be ready to pick in mid-October. For more info on when to pick each variety, go to maineapples.org/varieties/.

“This is a great crop of apples! It has been dry this summer, so apple size has been a concern,” said Rob Boothby, president of Boothby’s Orchard and Farm in Livermore.  “(But) the past two weeks have brought favorable showers, which have helped the apples size up.  The apples are large. “

Here are some pick-your-own orchards and farm stands in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY

Boothby Orchard and Farm, 366 Boothby Road, Livermore: Pick-your-own apples; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, closes Oct. 12; boothbysorchard.com/the-orchard; 207-754-3500.

Greenwood Orchard, Farm Stand, 174 Auburn Road/Route 4, Turner: Apples, fruits, vegetables and more; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; www.facebook.com/GreenwoodOrchards; 207-225-3764.

Hazel Hill Orchard, 59 South Livermore Road, Turner: Farm stand in Turner; the pick-your-own apple orchard is at 4320 Old Winthrop Road, Wayne; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October; www.hazelhillorchard.com/farm-stand; 207-500-3886.

Ricker Hill Orchards, 295 Buckfield Road, Turner: Pick-your-own apples, fresh baked goods, pick-your-own pumpkins; daily hours through Oct., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily hours in November, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; rickerhill.com; 207-225-5552.

Wallingford’s Orchard, 1240 Perkins Ridge Road, Auburn: Pick-your-own apples daily through Oct. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., apple cider, fresh baked goods through Dec. 31, and more; wallingfordsorchard.com/u-pick; 207-784-7958.

Willow Pond Farm, 395 Middle Road, Sabattus: Pick-your-own apples, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through late October; willowpf.com; 207-375-6662.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Morrison Hill Orchard, 272 Morrison Hill Road, Farmington: Pick-your-own apples and cider, every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Monday through Thursday is self-service pick-your-own cart; Friday through Sunday owners are on site; www.morrisonhillorchard.net; 207-778-4945.

OXFORD COUNTY

Blue Moose Farm, 89 Main St., Roxbury: Farm stand, seasonal produce including apples, garlic, jellies, jams, and more; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; bluemoosefarm.info; 207-545-1115.

Peaked Hill, 80 Gilead Road/Route 2, Gilead: Pick-your-own apples, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October; 207-836-2113.

Sparrowhawk Orchard, 684 Grover Hill Road, Bethel: Pick-your-own apples, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through late October; www.facebook.com/SparrowhawkOrchard.

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