Carlos Flores is an architect, landscape designer, and co-founder of Punta de Fierro Fine Cider. At the 2025 CiderCon in Chicago he presented Carlos presented “Developing An Experimental Edible Forest in a Heritage Apple Orchard.” – this episode features his full presentaiton and you will also find his audio synced with all the power point slides at the Cider Chat YouTube Channel – see link below.
In this Cider Chat
Hear the story of how a small heritage apple orchard outside Valdivia, Chile became the foundation for a long-term edible forest experiment rooted in cider, biodiversity, and community.
What began as a personal homestead dream has evolved into a working model for regenerative agriculture in southern Chile.
View this complete episode!
Heritage Apples as the Backbone
Carlos discovered that many orchards in the region are heritage apple orchards, some over 100 years old.
Key characteristics:
- Trees spaced 20–25 feet apart
- Mixed varieties within a single orchard
- Apples historically used for cider and chicha
- Maintained largely by local women growers
These orchards weren’t abandoned—they were waiting.
Designing the Edible Forest
Rather than planting from scratch, Carlos worked with what already existed.
The design approach:
- Upper layer: existing heritage apple trees
- Ground cover: native berries, herbs, and flowers
- Mid-layer: fruit trees for food diversity
- Future canopy: long-living native trees like Chilean oak
About 50% of the orchard remains open to allow cider harvesting, with planted zones woven in between.
Pruning, Patience, and Process
Rejuvenation required careful pruning:
- Done in stages over several years
- Guided by specialists from the University of Valdivia
- Improved light, safety, and access for harvest
The result? Healthier trees and better long-term resilience.
Water, Cider, and Circular Systems
Carlos also rethought water use:
- Rainwater collected from the cidery roof
- Water filtered through a plant-based biofilter
- Reused to irrigate the edible forest
- Creation of a pond increased biodiversity with birds, frogs, and insects
Cider production became the economic engine that made the whole system viable.
The Chilean Community at the Center
This project is open by design:
- Workshops hosted onsite
- Collaboration with universities
- Summer programs for local kids
- Apples purchased from nearby growers, turning forgotten orchards into income sources
As Carlos puts it, “I have 400 years. I’m not in a rush.”
Why This Matters for Cider
Cider isn’t just the outcome—it’s the catalyst.
By valuing apples that don’t fit the fresh market, cider:
- Preserves old orchards
- Strengthens rural economies
- Encourages growers to replant and protect trees
This episode is a reminder that cider can be both agricultural glue and cultural renewal.
Contact info for Carlos of Punta de Fierro Cider
- Website: https://puntadefierro.cl
- Listen to Episode 421: Explore the Rich History of Chilean Cider w/Punta de Fierro
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