The Apples of His Eye

Offspring Seedlings Keep Legend of Johnny Appleseed Alive

Originally Published in the State Journal Register (Springfield, IL), written by Staff Writer Ralph Loos

Jeff Meyer of the American Forests' Famous and Historic Trees Program explains to Ball Elementary School fourth-graders the origin of an apple tree sapling which was grafted from the only known surviving tree planted by Johnny Appleseed. Photographs by Rich Seal: The Slate Journal Register

Pat Algeo Young's favorite Johnny Appleseed story involves horses and cows. And, of course, apples. "As I was growing up on my parents' farm in Ohio," the Petersburg resident explained Tuesday at Lincoln Memorial Garden's Ostermeier Prairie Center, "I wanted a horse very badly. I fed our cows apples so they would stand still long enough for me to climb on their hacks." What's that story have to do with Johnny Appleseed, the legendary apple tree planter? Well, Young's cow-mesmerizing apples came from what was the last surviving apple tree planted by John Chapman. Yes, Johnny Appleseed. "The tree stood right in front of our house," said Young, whose parents were fifth-generation family members to live on the Ashland County farm. "When I look back, I realize the big tree protected us and our house from many storms." It was a storm in the spring of 1996 that dealt the old apple tree — it is believed Chapman planted it on a visit to the farm in the 1830s — its final blow. The tree now lives on in