Nick has been my hero- in his mid-80s, yet still working out in the cold orchard with the nightmare logistics of 1,000+ varieties.

He's a very busy amazing guy! His list of just pears and apples was well over 4,000!!! But he also carries cherries, plums, grapes etc. I've chosen to just focus on apples and pears since we are already set-up to graft those in bulk. I hope someone else (or group) can focus on the other types.

Are you or anyone else going to have Nick's plums, cherries and grapes?

I met Nick at the scion exchange in Oregon two years ago. I wrote to him last month with my scion order and the scion wood orchard is for sale. Would be an interesting vocation for retirement. Me, I've got a dozen more years to go.

Wow, the rumors are true. Sad to see this orchard go up for sale. Hope someone who has a spare $1.7 million can pick it up and save the trees. I'd take the money out of petty cash but I'm a few dollars short. GW won't seem to let me post the link but here's what I found online.....
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Nick Botners place is For Sale!

Notice of Sale: 125 acre Oregon farm contains the largest private collection of fruit tree and grape cultivars in the Milky Way Galaxy. 19 year old 3600 sq ft home, 5 Bedroom, 3 baths. Mostly brick siding, new roof (2010). Barn & shop buildings built 18 years ago. 10 acre orchard with 4000 apple, 500 pear, 170 plum, 150 cherry, 475 grape cultivars (more or less) plus miscellaneous fruits & berries. 2 wells, 2 intermittent streams & 2 ponds supply domestic and irrigation needs. 5 acres of wine grape planted (mostly Pinot Noir). 10 acres planted to timber, the rest in hay, pasture, woodland. Price $1,750,000.00 Contact: Nick Botner, 4015 Eagle Valley Road,

Yoncalla, OR 97499 (541)849-2781