The Piper Orchard Chapter of the Western Cascade Fruit Society will hold a tree-planting party at Piper Orchard in Carkeek Park on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chapter president Ron Schaevitz said his all-volunteer group, which holds monthly work parties every third Saturday, welcomes newcomers. Bring gloves, gardening tools and a lunch.

Piper Orchard was established more than 100 years ago by A.W. Piper, the namesake of the orchard and of Piper's Creek. Piper and his wife lived on the property for many years. The foundation of their home still exists. According to Schaevitz, Mr. Piper was a baker who had a shop in Pioneer Square. "He used the apples grown at his orchard in his bakery," Schaevitz said. The land was eventually donated to the City of Seattle.

The Piper Orchard Chapter works in cooperation with the Parks Department to maintain the orchard "for the enjoyment of all," said Schaevitz.

The November work party will be the chapter's last meeting of the year. The chapter will resume its monthly work parties in January.

For more information, call Schaevitz at 362-1227.