466: Growing Cold-Hardy Trees at Saint Lawrence Nursery | NY

466: Growing Cold-Hardy Trees at Saint Lawrence Nursery | NY

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist July 30, 2025 Duration: 1:18:06

A Century of Cold-Hardy Trees

Saint Lawrence Nursery in Potsdam, NY, has been helping cold-climate growers find success since the 1920s. Originally founded by Fred Ashworth and later expanded by Bill MacKentley, the nursery is now stewarded by Connor and Allyssa Hardiman, the third generation in a nonfamilial succession.

Ep: 466 Allyssa and Connor Hardiman in the Saint Lawrence Nursery orchard

What Sets Saint Lawrence Nursery Apart

Cold-Hardy Genetics

  • Over 250 apple varieties
  • Trialed at temperatures as low as -34°F
  • Trees that thrive from Alaska to Michigan

Only Standard Rootstock

  • Seedling Antonovka (apples) and Baccata (crabs) for resilience and longevity
  • Trees that can live 100+ years

More Than Apples

  • Black walnuts, butternuts, hazelnuts, and berry bushes
  • Custom grafting for heirloom preservation
  • Regionally adapted selections from partnerships and testing plots

Passing the Torch of Generational Wisdom and Branding

The nursery was handed down without a sale. It was gifted by Bill to Connor in a rare act of agricultural generosity. The plan is to do the same one day. "Love is what makes the world go 'round," Bill often says, and it's embedded in every tree tag and planting guide.

Cold Hardy Trees For Orchardists and Backyard Growers

Most customers are small-scale planters or long-time loyalists. Whether you want just one tree to honor a grandparent or 100 cider apples for a startup orchard, Connor and Allyssa are here to help—with personal attention, a rich planting guide, and an option to let them choose the right tree for you.

Contact Info for Saint Lawrence Nursery

Mentions in this Cider Chat


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

Cider Chat
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