The History of the Apple Tree

History

• European settlers introduced eating apples to America. Prior to that time, apples in America consisted of crab apples, which were bitter and not suitable for eating. Apples were first planted in the early 1620's, but without honey bees to pollinate them, they did not produce well. In 1662 the first colonies of bees were shipped from England and introduced to the Colony of Virginia.

Time Frame

• In 1623, William Blackstone brought a bag of apple seeds from Europe to Massachusetts where he planted them on Beacon Hill in Boston. The Boston Bay Company ordered apple seeds from England in 1629. By the 1640's apple orchids had been established in the colonies. The first commercial production of apples occurred in 1737 when Robert Prince established the William Prince Nursery In Flushing, NY. The nursery provided apple trees gathered from areas around the world for sale to colonists. This introduced a wide variety of apples to America.

Geography

• In the early 1800's to 1841, John Chapmen, known as Johnny Appleseed traveled 10,00 square miles of the frontier leasing land and planting apple orchards. He collected and dried seeds and placed them in small bags. He gave bags to people who were headed west and requested that they plant them, contributing to the spread of apple trees across America. Between 1843 and 1869 those following the Oregon Trail to the west carried young saplings or scion wood for grafting apple trees once settled in their new home.

Function

• The work of Johnny Appleseed and the introduction of new apple trees in the western territories spread apple trees across the nation. The introduction of honey bees assured that the trees would be pollinated and produce fruit. Apples served as a sweet treat to be eaten as fresh a desert or snack during late summer and as dried fruit in the winter, providing nutrients and improving general health.

Benefits

• Apples are high in antioxidants and provide many health benefits and may fight the formation of some cancers. They are instrumental in lowering the need for insulin in diabetes and for lowering cholesterol. They may also be beneficial in weight loss and in preventing the loss of bone density.