I suggested a number of ways to save on energy costs and stretch a dollar. I asked for ideas. Here is one I had not considered. Apparently, there are apple orchards in Maine that allow you to “buy” or “rent” a tree for $40/ year. The orchard cares for it but when the fruit arrives, you get the yield. You can rent the same tree every year or do a McIntosh one year, a Cortland another or other variety. But, all the apples belong to you and you and can be  picked at will.

There is a Chick’s Orchard in Monmouth, Maine that rents a tree for $40 - $50 per year. Has anyone else heard of renting an apple, orange, pear or other tree? Is this unique to Maine? This is certainly a down to earth way of buying apples and turning them into a healthy snack, pies, apple sauce, etc. that will last an entire year.