A Public Orchard Opens in NYC Featuring Rare Heritage Fruits

Fun will be ripe for the picking on Governors Island this month! The Trust for Governors Island announced a new–and permanent–exhibit titled, The Open Orchard, a commissioned artwork by botanist and artist, Sam Van Aken. 

But this is no ordinary art exhibit. It involves art, science and history to save near-extinct fruit species. The Open Orchard, set to open on Arbor Day, April 29, will be a public orchard of 102 fruit trees that act as a living archive for rare heritage fruits.   

The fruit varieties featured in the exhibit were grown in and around New York City over the past 400 years, but have mostly disappeared due to climate change and the industrialization of agriculture. But  now, New Yorkers will get to see these once-plentiful fruits that were popular many generations ago. 

These species include George IV peaches, Stuyvesant pears, Bloodgood pears and many more.

Curious as to how the artist made all of these real trees? Using a unique grafting process, Van Aken combined multiple fruit varieties into a single tree—so different varieties grow alongside one another and  the trees blossom in a rainbow of white, pink, and crimson. 

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these  hybrid trees undertake the critically important work of preserving dozens of rare fruit varieties in  a safe environment, providing a road map for innovative techniques to maintain vital biodiversity in the face of a changing climate. In other words, this is not only a fascinating display of heritage fruit, but the project will help preserve the species for years to come!

“Sam Van Aken’s vital work transforms preconceived notions about what public art can be,  preserves the ecological history of our region, and allows New Yorkers from all five boroughs  to enjoy a beautiful public orchard in the heart of New York harbor,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “The island is an ideal location  to explore issues of environmental preservation and the felt impacts of climate change through  art and public engagement. We cannot wait to welcome Island visitors to experience this  ambitious work in person.”

What to Expect at The Open Orchard on Governors Island

You're probably wondering right about now if you can actually pick the fruit on these artsy trees. The short answer is...yes! Though, more details on how you can do this will be announced soon. In the meantime, here are some other activities you and your family can enjoy at The Open Orchard:

• Talks and performances

• Fruit tastings

• Harvest events

• Culinary lessons

According to the Trust for Governors Island, additional programs will be announced in the coming  months. The Open Orchard, commissioned through Governors Island Arts, is co-curated by  Meredith Johnson, Vice President for Arts and Culture and Head Curator at the Trust for  Governors Island, and Shane Brennan, former Director of Public Programs.

“The Open Orchard on Governors Island, and the expansive orchard taking place across the  entire city in community gardens in all five boroughs, wouldn’t have been possible without the  time, energy, and generosity of so many invested in art, biodiversity and revisiting this  forgotten history of New York,” said artist Sam Van Aken. “After eight years in  development and five years of the project growing at Governors Island, I remain indebted to all  those involved and humbled to find a place and community with the shared vision of  rethinking not just agriculture but the culture that surrounds it.” 

In addition to the exhibit, Van Aken also cultivated and donated nearly 100 additional trees that will be planted in community gardens throughout the five  boroughs in partnership with NYC Parks GreenThumb. These community gardens include:

Manhattan

• Children's Magical Garden, 131 Stanton Street

• East Side Outside Community Garden, 415 East 11th Street




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• El Jardin del Paraiso, 710 East 5th Street

• LaGuardia Corner Community Garden, 511 LaGuardia Place

• West 87th Street Park & Garden, 55-57 West 87th Street

• Green Oasis Community Garden, 372 E 8th St

• Campos Community Garden, 640-644 East 12th Street

• Morris Jumel Community Garden, 455-457 W 162nd Street

• Pleasant Village Community Garden, 353 Pleasant Avenue

• Lydia's Magic Garden, 1665 Park Avenue

• Brotherhood Sisterhood Sol, 140 Hamilton Place