You know Clark, I think about this kind of stuff a lot & i’m only 33.
My project of coarse is here, History of where my Orchard is planted (being planted).
I bet all those years ago that guy wondered who would take care of his when he was gone too. We have 3 left standing, I don’t spray them or trim them, I just enjoy the old relics they are and they’ll likely cross pollinate with my orchard trees before they finally succumb to age. I have offspring of all 3 of them grafted but for now I’m enjoying his work.
My kids are very young, I hope in 5-10 years when I have tons of fruit they will eat some and enjoy it enough to at least want to carry the torch when i’m an old man.