A hundred fruit trees were planted with the help of local students
The Association of Municipalities of the Camino da Ría de Muros Noia has launched ‘Maceiras no Camiño‘, an environmental restoration project along the Camino de Santiago through the planting of apple trees. The initiative, funded by the GALP Costa Sostible (Local Action Group for Sustainable Coast), is being carried out in collaboration with the CEIP Ramón de Artaza school, the IES As Insuas secondary school, and the Adisbismur occupational center, coordinated by the Muros Town of Water and Salt association.
“Many years ago, along the Camino de Santiago there were many fruit trees: pear trees, cherry trees, plum trees… and many apple trees, so pilgrims could pick an apple, regain strength and continue on their way. But they disappeared over time,” explains Montse París, coordinator of the project. She adds that the trees are intended to provide shade and food, while filling the route with color.
As an initial part of the plan, the schoolchildren planted a hundred apple trees, identified with the symbol of the Orchards on the Way campaign, in which it is indicated that the fruits are available to the pilgrims. Among the varieties planted are Tres en Cunca, also called Cacharela or De Inverno, collected in Santa María de Roo (Outes). It is a high quality apple that ripens in November. Tres en Rama, Morena Rayada, Ollo Mouro, Camoesa and Reineta were other varieties chosen for this project.
“We chose apple trees because they are strong and resistant, they grow in almost any soil, they have a very long ripening time, they bear fruit every year and each variety has a different flavor,” highlighted Montse Paris.
Source: La voz de Galicia