This Crazy Tree Grows 40 Kinds of Fruit | National Geographic

Summary

The 'Tree of 40 Fruit' is an innovative art project involving grafting 40 different types of stone fruit onto a single tree. The idea stemmed from a fascination with grafting and the goal of creating something fantastical. The project combines artistic vision with horticulture, resulting in a living tree that blossoms in varied colors and bears multiple types of fruit, including peaches, plums, and cherries. The process is a long-term endeavor, taking years to perfect, and the tree continues to evolve, offering a new experience each year as it grows and bears fruit.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Tree of 40 Fruit' is a unique tree that grows over 40 different types of stone fruit, including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries, and almonds.
• 😀 The concept for this project arose from a fascination with the process of grafting and a desire to create something fantastical, like Dr. Seuss or Frankenstein creations.
• 😀 The project began in Central New York, where the creator sought out rare heirloom and antique stone fruit varieties for grafting.
• 😀 Grafting these rare varieties onto a single tree allows the creator to preserve and continue using them for the future.
• 😀 At first, many growers did not understand the project, questioning the practicality of a tree bearing so many different fruits that require multiple harvests.
• 😀 The Tree of 40 Fruit is intended as an art project, exploring the concept of a 'hoax' that transforms reality.
• 😀 One key aspect of the project is planting the trees in locations where people can stumble upon them, sparking curiosity about their unusual appearance and diverse fruits.
• 😀 The artist carefully designs how the tree blossoms by grafting branches to ensure each variety blooms at different times, creating an ever-changing visual experience.
• 😀 A diagram or map is kept for each tree to track how the grafting and blossoming progress over time.
• 😀 The grafting process itself takes several years, with the tree needing about 8 to 9 years to fully mature and reach its peak fruit-bearing capacity.
• 😀 The tree continuously evolves, providing a new experience each year with fresh blooms and fruits, offering a unique, evolving artwork each season.

Q & A

What is the Tree of 40 Fruit?

The Tree of 40 Fruit is a single tree that grows over 40 different types of stone fruit, including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries, and almonds, all grafted onto one tree.

What inspired the creation of the Tree of 40 Fruit?

The inspiration for the Tree of 40 Fruit came from a fascination with the process of grafting. The creator was intrigued by the idea after seeing it as a child and found it similar to something out of Dr. Seuss or Frankenstein.

Where did the creator find the different varieties of fruit for the tree?

The creator traveled around Central New York and New York State to find rare heirloom and antique varieties of stone fruit, which are often difficult to find.

Why did some growers initially not understand the project?

At first, many growers didn’t understand the project because they questioned why someone would want a tree with so many different types of fruit. They were concerned about the difficulty of harvesting fruit from a tree with so many varieties.

How does the Tree of 40 Fruit function as an art project?

The Tree of 40 Fruit functions as an art project by incorporating the idea of a 'hoax.' The aim is for people to stumble upon the tree and question its unique characteristics, like its unusual leaves and colorful blossoms, which are a blend of different varieties of fruit.

What is the process of grafting used for the Tree of 40 Fruit?

Grafting involves attaching branches from different fruit varieties onto the main tree. The process starts with a tree that grows for about three years, after which branches from different fruit varieties are grafted onto it. The number of branches increases exponentially each year, creating a tree with multiple varieties.

How long does it take for a Tree of 40 Fruit to fully develop?

It takes about eight to nine years for a Tree of 40 Fruit to fully develop. The first tree, planted in 2011, started with 40 varieties, but it is expected to reach its peak in about 3 to 4 years after that initial planting.

How does the creator manage the tree's blooming process?

The creator uses a diagram and a timeline to map out when the different varieties of fruit will bloom, allowing for a sculpted and visually unique blossoming pattern. Some branches are designed to bloom at different times, creating a varied display throughout the season.

What role does the greenhouse-like plastic play in the grafting process?

The clear plastic is used to create a greenhouse effect around the grafted area. This helps maintain humidity, allowing the graft to heal and ensuring that the new branches successfully take root in the tree.

Why does the creator consider the Tree of 40 Fruit an evolving artwork?

The creator views the Tree of 40 Fruit as an evolving artwork because it changes every year. The tree’s growth, blossoms, and fruiting process vary with time, making it a unique and continually transforming piece of art.