CALLICOON CENTER — Rows of apple trees stretch across the hillside at Trees of the Woods, their branches crowded with red and green fruit.

“This year is phenomenal,” owner Doug Woods said. “[There are] tons of apples.”

The roughly 500-tree orchard at 135 Leins Road in Callicoon Center opened for pick-your-own around the beginning of September and is expected to continue through the end of October. Visitors can buy a $10 bag and fill it with whatever mix of apples they choose.

Woods began planting apple trees about 10 years ago, adding 50 or 100 at a time as he could afford them.

“This is the first year that apples [have] really produced nicely,” he said.

The varieties change every few rows, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Cortland, Fuji, Idared, Pink Lady, GoldRush, Enterprise, Sansa and RubyMac, with different apples ripening from late summer through October.

Woods encourages visitors to taste as they go.

“Try every apple,” he tells them.

Pointing to fruit already on the ground, Woods said he is not worried about customers sampling a few apples while they walk. He said he does not understand why some larger orchards discourage it.

Visitors can taste the different varieties, find what they like and fill a $10 bag with any mix they choose.

Woods has his own favorite: macoun, with its mix of sweet and tart, tops his list. RubyMac is softer and popular for applesauce, while some late-season varieties can keep in cold storage for months.

Families make up much of the weekend business. Children often stop to see the chickens, donkey and other farm animals, while adults take in the view from the hillside orchard.

That elevation may also have helped save this year’s crop.

Woods said cold spring weather damaged orchards in lower areas, while the higher ground at Trees of the Woods stayed warmer.

“Cold air is heavy,” Woods said. “So it falls into the valley.”

His trees had also moved beyond their most vulnerable flowering stage when temperatures dropped.

“If the flowers get killed, then you’re done,” he said.

Instead, the young apples survived and the orchard produced heavily.

Trees of the Woods was once better known for Christmas trees, but Woods is now expanding the property around pick-your-own crops. Pumpkins are available this fall, and he plans to bring back strawberries and eventually add blueberries.

He also hopes to add a dedicated parking area, small farm store, picnic tables and a gazebo overlooking the property.

For now, the apples are the draw.