The apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton’s work on gravity is a heritage variety known as the ‘Flower of Kent.’ This tree has stood for centuries as a living connection to one of the most profound scientific breakthroughs. The question of whether this centuries-old tree still exists is common, given its age and historical significance. The physical survival of the original apple tree is a testament to careful preservation.
The Status of the Original Tree
The original apple tree continues to grow at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, England, the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton. This specimen, a variety primarily used for cooking, has survived for over 350 years, serving as a living link to the theory of universal gravitation.
The tree was blown down in a severe storm around 1816 or 1820. Fortunately, the rootstock remained intact and re-rooted, allowing the tree to regrow from the base. Today, the National Trust manages the site and takes measures to ensure the tree’s longevity. Regular pruning and a protective barrier help maintain the tree’s health.
The Story of the Apple and Gravity
The tree’s significance dates to 1665 and 1666, when Newton retreated to Woolsthorpe Manor to escape the Great Plague that had closed Cambridge University. While in the manor’s garden, the sight of an apple falling from the tree prompted him to consider the force that pulled the fruit downward. He later recounted this observation to his contemporaries.
Newton questioned why this force was responsible not only for objects falling to the earth but also for holding the Moon in its orbit. Accounts from his friends, including the antiquarian William Stukeley, confirm the story and its role in the development of his ideas. He later published his universal law of gravitation in 1687.
Propagation and Global Legacy
Because the original tree is protected, its genetic material has been widely preserved and distributed through grafting. Grafting involves taking a small shoot, or scion, from the original tree and joining it to the rootstock of another apple tree, creating a genetically identical clone. This maintains the ‘Flower of Kent’ variety associated with Newton’s discovery across the globe.
Authenticated clones of the tree are found in scientific and academic institutions worldwide. These include the grounds of Trinity College at Cambridge, Newton’s alma mater, and the University of York. The trees serve as reminders of scientific inquiry and are often planted at research centers and universities. Seeds from the original tree have been taken into space to study the effects of microgravity.