One Hundred “Wienzoern” Apple Trees from Aalten Available to Residents
A unique piece of Aalten’s cultural history is set to have a new future. The Gelderland Landscape Management Foundation (SLG), at the initiative of the Achterhoek Food platform and on behalf of the municipality of Aalten, is launching a planting campaign centered on the Wienzoern apple variety. Residents of the municipality of Aalten will have the opportunity to purchase one of the 100 fruit trees grown specifically for this campaign.
The Wienzoern, known internationally as “Fameuse,” is a unique apple variety from the collection of the renowned pomologist Hennie Rossel of Vorden. The variety was cultivated for many years by the Westerhof tree nursery in De Heurne and has been distributed and planted in Aalten and the surrounding area for decades. As such, the Wienzoern is not only a unique fruit variety but also part of the local cultural and historical heritage.
One Hundred Trees for Aalten
To preserve the variety for the future, SLG asked fruit tree grower Johan Hengeveld from Aalten to grow 100 Wienzoern trees specifically for this campaign. “Through this campaign, we’re ensuring that this apple once again finds a place in the Aalten landscape and in residents’ gardens. This not only preserves a unique fruit variety but also keeps alive the memory of Aalten’s rich history of fruit growing,” said Mayor Stapelkamp.
Kickoff during Sustainability Day
The campaign will officially launch during Sustainability Day on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Starting then, residents of the municipality of Aalten can sign up for a sapling via the SLG website: slgelderland.nl/projecten/wienzoern-actie.
The saplings still need some time to grow and will be distributed on Saturday, November 27, 2027. You can register while supplies last; the registration deadline is October 25, 2027.
A unique collection in the Achterhoek region
SLG is a partner of the Achterhoek Food platform and supports the Rossel Collection Orchards network and the work of Hennie Rossel. There are now more than 400 varieties of apples and pears spread across approximately 100 Rossel Collection Orchards.
SLG Project Manager Ruud Borkes explains: “By distributing these unique varieties—each with its own history—to every municipality, we’re helping to preserve the diversity of our food and cultural history. Together with the municipality of Aalten, we’re literally and figuratively giving the Wienzoern variety roots in Aalten again. In this way, we’re working together to ensure that this special piece of cultural history isn’t lost.”
More information
Do you live or work in this municipality? Do you have a nice spot available, or are you looking for a unique gift? You can now order this one-of-a-kind little tree! More information about the campaign, the “ Requirements ,” and how to sign up will be announced at the start of the campaign during Sustainability Day and via the websites and social media channels of SLG and the municipality of Aalten.