Descendent of Newton's Apple Tree Grows in Morgantown

A direct descendent of the tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton’s Theory of Gravity has just been planted in Morgantown. It was a gift to retired Sen. Jay Rockefeller by the National Institute of Standards and Technology earlier this month in honor of his science policy leadership during a 30-year career in the United States Senate.

Rockefeller opted to re-gift the tree to West Virginia University to inspire students to “pursue scientific and technological discovery.” Rockefeller called the tree “a living symbol of how important it is to study and understand the world around us.” The apple tree was planted and dedicated this week between WVU’s downtown library and White Hall, which houses the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Credit WVU Photo by Brian Persinger

/