A Life Among the Apple Trees: Remembering Larry L. McGraw

January 29, 2024

On this day, we commemorate the passing of a true pomological pioneer, Larry L. McGraw, founder of the esteemed Home Orchard Society.

It was on this very date in 2005 that the world of fruit cultivation lost one of its most passionate advocates.

For over half a century, Larry's heart beat in rhythm with the changing seasons of his beloved orchards.

His obituary, a testament to his life's work, declared pomology - the science of growing fruit - as his enduring passion.

One can almost imagine the fragrant blossoms and crisp apples that must have filled his dreams!

In his twenties, driven by an admirable desire to preserve the arboreal heritage of the Northwest, Larry embarked on a quest to collect scion wood specimens. This endeavor blossomed into the Northwest Fruit Explorers, an organization that became a veritable treasure trove of fruity wisdom for growers far and wide.

Picture, if you will, our dear Larry in his retirement years, serving as a horticulturist for the Oregon Historical Society.

It was there, amidst dusty tomes and forgotten artifacts, that he made a discovery to set any gardener's heart aflutter - an envelope containing century-old apple seeds! The accompanying letter spoke of one Marcus Whitman and his orchard.

Now, my dear readers, allow me to paint you a picture of this Marcus Whitman. A doctor by trade, he led a wagon train of intrepid settlers to the wild lands of Washington State.

By his side was his wife, Narcissa, a woman of remarkable intellect who taught physics and chemistry. Together, they were part of a group of missionaries who settled in what we now know as Walla Walla, Washington.

Alas, their tale is not one of unmitigated success.

Their attempts to convert the local Native Americans were met with resistance, a failure rooted in their unfortunate lack of cultural understanding.

Tragedy struck when their young daughter, merely two years old, was claimed by the waters. Following this heartbreak, poor Narcissa's eyesight began to fail her.

When a measles outbreak decimated the Native American children, fingers of blame pointed squarely at Marcus, the town doctor.

In a tragic turn of events, on November 29, 1847, Marcus and Narcissa met their untimely end at the hands of grieving Native Americans, an incident that would come to be known as the Whitman Massacre.

The apple seeds Larry discovered were perhaps one of the last tangible links to the Whitman legacy.

Despite his best efforts, these century-old seeds refused to yield their secrets and germinate. One can only imagine the disappointment our dear Larry must have felt!

But fret not, for Larry's horticultural pursuits were not in vain. His Portland Orchard boasted apple trees from as far as Russia, a testament to his global vision. By 1973, Larry's garden was a veritable apple lover's paradise, with over 300 varieties painting a tapestry of flavors and colors.

It was in the merry month of May, 1975, that Larry hosted a gathering of like-minded orchard enthusiasts. This momentous occasion marked the birth of the Home Orchard Society, a legacy that continues to bear fruit to this day.

Throughout his life, Larry shared his wealth of knowledge with thousands, teaching the delicate arts of pruning and grafting.

His half-century of apple research exposed him to an astounding 2,000 varieties from every corner of the globe.

As we tend to our own modest orchards, let us raise a glass of cider to Larry L. McGraw, a man who truly knew that the seeds of knowledge, when properly nurtured, can grow into the most bountiful of trees.