header print

This Beautiful Tree Grows 40 Different Kinds of Fruit

A few years ago, Prof. Sam Van Aken was touring New York’s largest plantation and wondered, as he looked at the immense property, if it were possible to grow several kinds of fruits on one tree. This thought led him to a unique project that took him five years to complete, and its fruits (pun intended) are reaped today: the development of a tree that can bear 40 different kinds of fruits.
 
This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit

Aken’s process included growing the trees that he wished to combine (aka “transplant”), chopping off some of the branches and transplanting them onto the main tree. His successes along the way led to trees that bore a variety of fruits: cherries, nectarines, almonds, peaches, plums, and so on. 

 

This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit

 Since each different plant requires different levels of irrigation and care, Aken keeps a journal that tracks the status of each plant, how much water it needs and when.

This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit

 Aken’s first transplanted tree is over nine years old, and his success led him to create sixteen more such trees.

This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit

Most of these trees are planted in museums, cultural and community centers in the United States. Aken’s next step in the plan involves starting a plantation of such trees, as a homage to the plantation that started everything. 

This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit
 
This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit
This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit
This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit
This Tree Bears 40 Different Kinds of Fruit

Watch the National Geographic Video about Aken's Project Below: 

Next Post
Sign Up for Free Daily Posts!
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Sign Up for Free Daily Posts!
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy