The Tree of 40 Fruit
Originally published on May 14, 2020 by Nimisha Singla for teachforgreen
What is science? Is it dedicated to studying and intensive research? Is it a systematic and logical rejection of theories? Is it knowledge attained only through practice and experiments? Is it instinctive innovation or conscious calculation? Is it technological advancement or unveiling ancient mysteries?
What is science? To me, simply put, science is an art. It brings us closer to the truth. All of us are united in this search, and carry it out through different mechanisms. Science is as abstract and random as life itself; it will not be an understatement to say that science is the study of existence itself. Every day, every second something utterly awestruck can be discovered. From a child marveling at colourful flowers and rains to an adult gaping at the news and discoveries in every thinkable domain, I have come a long way.
One such eye-widening news would be that of the tree which can grow 40 fruits! Believe you, me, I am not feeding you any lies! In 2014, an art professor, Sam Van Aken, created the ‘The Tree of 40 Fruit’ by grafting buds from various stone fruit trees onto the branches of a single tree, giving it the ability to produce multiple types of stone fruits including peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and nectarines. Aken used the chip grafting method to create this tree.
In chip grafting, a sliver of the desired plant is cut along with its bud and then healed to the branches of the rootstock tree. This process allows fruits to be grown in areas that may not otherwise support its growth due to soil types or adverse climatic conditions. The process is also adapted to repair injured trees, develop resistance to disease, ensure pollination or even propagate certain hybrid species of flowers.
The art professor looks at this Tree not only as an art research project but also as a form of conservation. He experimented extensively on different varieties of stone fruit and tried to put together a comprehensive timeline of when the grafts blossom concerning each other also so that he could ultimately design and sculpt the Tree of 40 Fruit.
For the majority part of the year, the tree is a normal looking — nothing out of the ordinary. However, come spring, the tree blooms into variegated colours of pink, white, and crimson. There are many such trees planted and the artist visits them to prune them and add more grafts. Van Aken estimates that the tree takes nine years to bloom fully.
Such are the wonders of nature, of the human mind, and of science.
References:
https://www.samvanaken.com/
https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/03/living/tree-40-fruit-sam-van-aken-feat/index.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/graft
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/a-tree-grows-40-different-types-of-fruit-180953868
