America celebrates Johnny Appleseed Day

John Chapman (1774 - 1847), who died on this day (some sources differ), was known as Johnny Appleseed for his large number of fruit tree plantings. He is regarded as the 'patron saint' of orchardists in the USA, and this is celebrated as his day.

The American pioneer orchardist and Swedenborgian Christian missionary was known as 'Johnny Appleseed' because he planted apple trees in large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, and became an American legend while he was still alive, being portrayed in works of art and literature. He is considered an early conservationist, what would be called today an ecologist.

He did not spread seeds around, as depicted in this attractive but idealized US Post Office depiction (above); rather, he planted apple trees or sold them at 6 cents each ...



Categories: usa, gardening, folklore, agriculture, biography, history