Old Apple Tree Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Apple Tree |
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Dead main trunk and surviving shoots, September 2020
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 Old Apple Tree
Location in Washington (state)
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| Species | Apple |
| Location | Vancouver, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 45°37′19″N 122°40′11″W / 45.62194°N 122.66972°W |
| Date seeded | 1826 |
| Date felled | 2020 |
The Old Apple Tree was a famous apple tree located in Vancouver, Washington, USA. Many people believed it was the oldest apple tree in the entire Pacific Northwest region. Scientists even did tests on its apples. They found that the apples were very special and unique. They were also distantly related to a very old French apple type called Reinette, which is about 500 years old!
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Contents
A Long History
The Old Apple Tree was thought to be planted way back in 1826. A British Royal Navy officer named Lieutenant Aemilius Simpson planted it. He got the seeds from a dinner party in London before he traveled to the Pacific Northwest. He was working for the Hudson's Bay Company.
Starting the Apple Industry
This tree is famous for helping to start the apple growing business in Washington state. It was very strong and survived many challenges. It lived through several big floods. It also survived when roads and railroads were built very close to it.
Where the Tree Lived
The Old Apple Tree was located in a special place called Old Apple Tree Park. This park is on the north side of the Columbia River. It is also on the south side of Washington State Route 14.
Celebrating the Tree
Every October, people in Vancouver celebrated the tree's birthday. They held an event called the Old Apple Tree Festival. During this festival, the city forester would give away cuttings from the tree. This helped share its unique genes with others.
The Tree's Life Cycle
The Old Apple Tree was not healthy for some time. Sadly, it died in June 2020. It was 194 years old when it passed away. Even though the main trunk of the tree was "declared dead," its root system was still alive.
A New Chapter Begins
The Old Apple Tree Research Team noticed something amazing. New saplings were growing from the old tree's roots! They plan to help one of these young trees grow. It will take the place of the old tree. This means a new chapter will begin for the famous Old Apple Tree.
