Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, lived from 1774 to 1845. During his life, he planted more than 100,000 square miles of apple trees. The last known living apple tree planted by him is on a farm in Nova, Ohio.
The Johnny Appleseed Birthday Tour, which began in 2009, stopped in Cincinnati and Dayton this year.
“We always kick off the tour in Fort Wayne (Indiana) and end in Urbana, but the cities we stop in on the way change yearly,” said Jennifer Rankin, American Forests program director, historic trees. “The Johnny Appleseed Birthday Tour was developed to honor his works and repopulate the orchards and nurseries Johnny planted some 200 years ago.”
The tour, which begins during the third week of September, usually includes baked goods, arts and crafts, and other activities in each of the cities it stops in.
This year, Hank Fincken, of Dayton, a celebrated portrayer of Appleseed, performed in Moraine.
The trees were then planted and dedicated on Sept. 26, Johnny’s birth date.
“Each tree planting is both educational and entertaining,” Rankin said. “Because of this, the plantings provide a unique, hands-on learning experience that teaches children and adults alike about the importance of trees, how to plant trees, and the history of Johnny Appleseed in the country’s development.
“Each Johnny Appleseed apple tree planted on the tour stands as a symbol of the contributions Johnny made to American history.”
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