Agreed, leaving those venerable trees in place would have indeed enhanced the symbiosis of the orchard location.
Honestly, I would be hard pressed to ever clear cut a forest of oaks and other hardwood trees of such centurion stature to plant any apple tree, orchard or otherwise, period. . . and I am an apple addict. . . . find another spot folks.
The visual I had when reading your post was all about the surge in money making people are rushing towards with any given Ag commodity and nothing to do with healthy balance and biodiversity therein.
I am sad along with you Josh
Gopher Hill ApplesZone 8 in California