After mega storm

Saving a destroyed orchard with tree sponsorship

Christoph Simon with a sponsored apple tree for "Papa".(Bild: Familie Simon)

A storm in September largely destroyed the Simon brothers' brand new orchard in Mollram, and with it the harvest. Now anyone who wants to can buy a tree on their orchard and harvest the crop themselves. 20,000 trees are ready and waiting to be "baptized". 

In September, the two brothers Christoph and Michael Simon were still standing in front of their orchard in Mollram near Neunkirchen, which had been almost completely destroyed. A wave of helpfulness rolled in at the time and volunteers helped to dispose of the nets and trees devastated by the storm. Today, the brothers are once again looking positively to the future.

The aim is to raise money through tree sponsorships in order to reinvest in new trees and a protective net. "Our plan is to rebuild everything in the spring," says Christoph Simon.

For example, you can now buy an apple tree for 29 euros. "This will be provided with its own nameplate. And the owner can then come and pick their own harvest," says Christoph Simon, explaining the principle. If desired, the fruit can also be harvested and sent to the sponsors. And if you don't like apples, you can also sponsor a plum or apricot tree.