Tetherow Crossing
| Tetherow Crossing | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tetherow Crossing Park, Redmond Area, Oregon |
| Tree Count | 2 |
| Species | 2 apple |
| Varieties | 0 identified |
The Tetherow Crossing orchard is a pair of surviving heritage apple trees on the grounds of Tetherow Crossing Park along the Deschutes River north of Redmond, Oregon. The park preserves the site of the Tetherow homestead — one of the oldest standing houses in Deschutes County — and an early pioneer cable ferry crossing. The park is managed by the Redmond Area Park & Recreation District (RAPRD).
History
The Tetherow homestead, built in 1878–1879, is one of the oldest surviving houses in Deschutes County. The site served as an early river ford, inn, farm, and supply point for travelers moving through Central Oregon, and historical accounts confirm that the Tetherow family maintained a working orchard during the late 19th century. Apples were a practical frontier crop, providing fresh fruit, cider, vinegar, and trade goods for the steady flow of travelers who relied on the crossing long before bridges and modern roads existed.
During the May 2026 Heritage Apple Corps survey, two surviving apple trees were documented at the site and sampled for DNA analysis. Tree 1 shows a clear graft union at the groundline, indicating it originated from grafted nursery stock and is likely a direct survivor of the original Tetherow orchard. Tree 2, lacking a visible graft, may represent either a second cultivar or a seedling descendant from the orchard's active period. Together, these trees form a rare living link to early orchards in the Deschutes Basin and may help clarify how apple cultivars moved across Central Oregon's frontier homesteads.
Orchard Map
Trees
| Condition | Count |
|---|---|
| Good | 2 |
| Fair | 0 |
| Poor | 0 |
| Dead | 0 |
| Total | 2 |
Photos
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Trees 1 (left) and 2 (right) -
Tree 1 close-up -
Park sign with Tree 1 in background
