Westminster Tree Ranked Colorado's Third Largest
A historic 140-year-old orchard remnant remains a stable feature of the Westminster landscape.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Botany
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A 140-year-old apple tree in Westminster has been verified as the third-largest of its kind in Colorado. Planted in 1886, the specimen persists as a survivor from the original Sops of Wine apple orchard established by the Semper family.
Why it matters
The tree represents an enduring biological link to the region's agricultural past. Its continued survival provides a rare longitudinal look at orchard longevity within an evolving urban environment.
The tree is 140 years old and holds the 3rd rank among all documented apple trees in Colorado. Experts project the specimen maintains sufficient health to survive for another 40 to 50 years.
The players
Christopher Edmunds
City storyteller who conducted the historical investigation to verify the tree's ranking.
Semper family
Original homesteaders who established the Sops of Wine apple orchard in Westminster.
The details
The tree originates from the Sops of Wine apple orchard planted by the Semper family. City storyteller Christopher Edmunds confirmed the specimen's status through an extensive historical investigation of regional horticultural records. To observe the trunk, visitors must navigate a path through surrounding shrubs located within a designated Westminster open space.
Timeline
1886: The Semper family planted the apple tree.
The Tech Race
This verification process aligns with broader Colorado state botanical surveying initiatives that catalog heritage trees. It marks a success in identifying and preserving historical biological assets against the pressure of ongoing local urban development.
Residents can view the tree by visiting the designated Westminster open space where it is located. Visitors should follow the path through the shrubs to access the trunk without disturbing the surrounding plant life.
The takeaway
The tree stands as a rare, enduring example of 19th-century agriculture in the modern suburban landscape. Observers should track future state botanical reports for any changes in the tree's size ranking relative to other heritage specimens in Colorado.
Further reading
Learn more about local preservation efforts in the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Krystal 93 - Summit County Local Radio.
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