Art Professor Grows Trees That Can Bear 40 Types Of Fruit
#1
The types of trees Van Aken's project has produced could theoretically save orchard space and increase access to a diverse number of fruit in various locales.
#2
The tree's rootstock is chosen to survive in the climate where the tree will be planted. Different varieties of stone fruit are then grafted onto the tree.
#3
Sam Van Aken created the Tree of 40 Fruit by grafting buds from various stone fruit trees onto the branches of a single tree, making it capable of producing multiple types of fruit. This is an artist rendering of what a 10-year-old tree would look like in full bloom. Click through to find out more.
#4
Van Aken diagrams each tree, allowing him to create a tree that blossoms evenly and for up to a month.
#5
A goal of Van Aken's project is for the various colors of blossoms to prompt passers-by to stop and ask questions.
#6
Perhaps more shocking than seeing various colored blossoms on the same tree is seeing different fruits growing side by side. Van Aken has worked with more than 250 stone fruit varieties on the tree project.
#7
Stone fruits are fruits with pits. Van Aken grows peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, nectarines and almonds.
