Central Asia Page One
Page head title Sci4Kids logo with link to this ARS Web site's home page. Hot-linked graphic of title that reads:"With Apples, All Roads Lead to Central Asia."

Ever heard the saying,"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree"?
Photo of red apples on tree branchesWell, the truth is that most apples that we love to eat do fall far—as in "the-other-side-of-the-world far”—from their original home!

Phil Forsline, Photograph of plant geneticist Gennaro Fazio and horticulturist Phil Forsline examining apples.a horticulturist with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva, New York, says that the family history of the apples that are enjoyed everywhere today can be traced back to trees that grew thousands of years ago deep in the middle of the continent of Asia. Yes, even the yummy types that we love, like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh began there!

Plant geneticist Gennaro Fazio (left) and horticulturist Phil Forsline examine a box of apples whose seed came from Central Asia.