Klondike valley apple
Rosaceae, Malus sp. ‘Trailman’
Heritage crop
This painting is a love affair with the North.
The tree grows in the backyard of Yukon’s treasured chef, Michele Genest, AKA The Boreal Gourmet. In 2024, Michele and Hector graciously consented to Misha trespassing in their backyard at all hours of the night. Living in the North, these midnight sketching jaunts were in full sunlight, with the heady aroma of bursting apple blossoms and the whir of bumble bees.
Many are surprised that apples and other crops grow well in the North. The Trailman apple was introduced by the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Beaverlodge, Alberta in 1973 from a cross between Trail x Osman apple varieties. It was then cultivated at the University of Saskatchewan as part of the USASK Fruit Program, which began in the 1920s. Misha’s friends at Klondike Valley Nursery have been cultivating and nurturing these cold-climate apple trees for decades. It is a credit to Klondike Valley Nursery that Yukoners like Michele Genest have productive apple trees in their yards today. (If you haven’t seen it already, watch David Curtis’ wonderful documentary, Sovereign Soil.)
One important aspect of the Trailman and other apples grown in the North is the rootstock. Apple saplings are usually grafted onto a rootstock, which may be dwarfing, disease-resistant, or cold-hardy. The process allows nursery owners to graft mature plant material onto rootstock well-adapted to the conditions, allowing apple-lovers to harvest fruit from a smaller tree in much less time.
Living in the North, Misha has enjoyed getting to know farmers and community members who live close to the land. Their actions safeguard the biological, genetic and cultural diversity of the region, even as the climate changes around us. This painting is an expression of Misha’s gratitude.
About the artist
Misha Donohoe is an Australian-Canadian artist living in Yukon, Canada.
Misha creates intricate and scientifically observed works in watercolour and ink. Her work explores natural systems and invites contemplation of overlapping worlds and dimensions. By layering this experience with historical and contemporary perspectives, Misha provides a unique commentary on the internal forces that shape our complex relationships with nature.
Misha trained as a science communicator and evolutionary biologist and works as a scientific illustrator. She received a Diploma in Botanical Illustration from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in 2024 and regularly exhibits her work in Canada and Australia.
Location: Whitehorse, YT
