In a remarkable blend of science, art, and agriculture, American professor Sam Van Aken has grown a single tree capable of producing 40 different types of stone fruits, earning it the name the “Tree of 40.”
Using a centuries-old technique known as grafting, Van Aken spent nearly a decade carefully merging branches from various fruit trees onto one rootstock. The result is a living masterpiece that can bear a spectacular variety of plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries, and almonds—all from the same trunk.
The tree blossoms in an extraordinary display each spring, with waves of white, pink, and crimson flowers. By late summer, it yields a rainbow of fruits ripening at different times, offering a unique harvest season that lasts several months.
Originally conceived as an art project to preserve heirloom and rare fruit varieties, the “Tree of 40” has since become a symbol of biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Van Aken has planted multiple versions of the tree across the United States, often in public spaces, to inspire curiosity and awareness about food diversity.
“This tree is a celebration of nature’s abundance,” Van Aken said. “It’s part science experiment, part conservation project, and part work of art.”
Experts say the project could play a key role in preserving endangered fruit species while sparking public interest in horticulture and genetic diversity.
