Green Oaks orchard owner says apples can get old
Anthony DeMoon
Age: 42
Hometown: Libertyville
Why him: For the past decade, Anthony DeMoon has welcomed apple lovers to Heinz Apple Orchard in Green Oaks. He runs the operation by himself, bringing the simple joy of the crisp fruit to customers each autumn. His orchard sells five variations of apples from a selection of 800 trees.
Q: Why did you want to be an apple farmer?
A: “I actually took a different route than most people. … I went to the Medill School of Journalism. I worked in newspaper, radio and television. I did farming part-time because my grandpa had a farm. As life went on, I realized I liked farming better than anything else. … I enjoy working for myself and taking off when I want. I don't have to punch into a clock every day.”
Q: What are your duties as the orchard's owner?
A: “I'm a one-man show. I do everything from pruning and spraying the trees, to managing sales and marketing. The original owner, Heinz Jeske, planted the trees in the 1950s. When he passed away, I took over. So most of my trees are between 40 and 60 years old.”
Q: Do you grow any rare apple types?
A: “I don't have any rare apples, but I do have two mystery trees. Jeske could never remember what they were. With over 7,000 types of apples in the world to choose from, no one has ever determined what they are. We've actually had people from the Chicago Botanic Garden come out to test them and nobody has ever been able to figure it out.”
Q: What's the strangest thing you've ever seen an apple used for?
A: “I had one guy come in one year and he asked if he could fire an apple cannon. It was like a portable bazooka and he wanted to fire apples off on the farm while people were picking and while cars were driving by. So of course I said no.”
Q: Do animals or pests ever get in your way?
A: “Deer will come and get their antlers stuck in the limbs, then pull away and pull off the branches. And they're not scared of me. They've stood right in front of me while I'm on the tractor.”
Q: What challenges do you face on the job?
A: “It's a never ending battle against Mother Nature. … Another challenge is that I'm ‘on-call' from the end of March through July. … One Easter, we were hosting dinner for family, and my wife had literally just set the table when I had the chance to spray before an upcoming storm. I didn't even get to sit down before I left.”
Q: What's your favorite apple dish?
A: “I literally eat so many apples that come the end of apple season, I don't want to see another one. But my wife and her mother make a delicious apple pie. So I'd say apple pie.”
Q: How do you decide if an apple is a “bad apple?”
A: “Since I've eaten so many apples, I've determined that if there are no holes in it, it's a good apple. People say to go to the top of the tree for the best apple, or they analyze the shape and color, but honestly, you just have to watch out for holes.”
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