http://www.ocala.com/article/20091207/ARTICLES/912069967/1001/NEWS01?Title=Ocala-woman-s-citrus-tree-produces-two-different-kinds-of-oranges
Ocala woman's citrus tree produces two different kinds of oranges
By Andy Fillmore - Correspondent
Published: Monday, December 7, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 11:09 p.m.
Jon Singley - Luann Bainbridge shows her grandson Donald Piel two different oranges on the same tree on Nov. 24.
Luann Bainbridge said she doesn't really have a green thumb, but some friends and family members disagree.
About 11 years ago, a tree began growing in her garden that now produces delicious fruit although it shouldn't.
"It started from discarded (orange) scraps," Bainbridge said. "I never watered or fertilized it."
The 25-foot-tall tree has been producing fruit for about seven years, with two different kinds occasionally on the same branch. She said there has been no grafting on the tree.
"The agricultural people told me it was from sour stock and would only produce sour fruit, but it has been great, producing navels and other delicious juice oranges," Bainbridge said.
"It's sweet and good," said Bainbridge's grandson Donald Piel, 10, as he dug into an orange off the tree. "It's weird how the tree has two different types of oranges."
Bainbridge said, "I felt (the fruit) was a gift from God for me to give away."
When the tree began bearing fruit, she asked some friends over and thus began a day-after-Thanksgiving orange pick and lunch tradition.
"It's fun," Bainbridge said this year as about a dozen friends each left with a bag of fresh oranges.
"I don't know of any tree like it," said George W. Heilman, 82.
Wilma Whitman also enjoyed the get-together and delicious fruit on a day usually associated with left-over turkey.
When Bainbridge, 74, a Tampa native, moved to her southeast area home in 1967, she said it had two nice oak trees in the front yard for shade but was otherwise barren of trees and foliage.
"It's amazing what grows differently 100 miles south," Bainbridge said, referring to more tropical plants, such as hibiscus, that grow well in the Tampa area but may be affected by freezes in North Central Florida.
The backyard foliage at her home includes elephant ear and hedges. A small screen room encloses a pond containing 8- to 10-inch long goldfish.
"They splash and make a fuss and have actually scared our cat," Bainbridge said.
Bainbridge also has a large plum tree that was started from seeds from a now deceased neighbor. The plum tree is a remembrance of the friend, she said.
Bainbridge is a retired piano instructor who now does volunteer work and plays organ at her church. She has served as an usher at Ocala Civic Theatre for 32 years.
Her daughter Cara Sachse can recall the dates of significant family events that were gauged by the height of her mother's special tree.
A cutting from it has been growing nearby for two years.
"Mom really does have a green thumb," Sachse said.
"The tree (originally) had thorns over it. They are highly toxic. I had hoped they would go away, and they did, except for a few places. And the tree never froze," Bainbridge said.
"It's a miracle."
