To map them all, three pomologists are flown in, experts in the field of fruit trees. “Those are really specialists. Are often a stem and the fruits quickly see which breed it is. They also cut the fruits open, because they can also recognize certain things at the cores. They therefore also like to come by in September, when the pears are almost ripe. The seeds get a different color and also the taste they use to recognize the species.”
If all 1,200 trees have been examined by the pomologists, the data is recorded at the municipality of De Wolden. It is not possible, because an app is also being developed in which the data from the orchard will be placed. “The intention is that we get an interactive system in which we can look up every tree, which also includes recipes for the pears. You have to cook for longer, you have to add a lot of sugar. You can see things like that soon. The residents want that, the tourists want that and the buyers of the pears want that too,” Keizer explains.
The Karstenhoeve does not have to do it alone, because Keizer says that there is a lot of support from Ruinerwold. “We also want to have the history of the trees along the Dr. Larijweg in the picture, the historical association helps us with. And Ruinerwold Ondernts helps us with the tourist side.”
Incidentally, Keizer does not think that the ‘longest orchard in Europe’ has been completely mapped this year. “I think we will first go out for a day or three with a few pomologists, but I do not expect that we will have everything in the picture during the pear picking in October. So next year we will also be busy. We want the digital platform online against the pear sales.”