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.
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.
Aken’s first transplanted tree is over nine years old, and his success led him to create sixteen more such trees.
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.
Watch the National Geographic Video about Aken's Project Below:
