An artist from Cambridge University produces distinctive ink using a replica of Sir Isaac Newton’s apple tree

An artist created ink using a replica of Sir Isaac Newton’s apple tree. This tree was a descendant of the original tree from which Newton derived his theory of gravity after seeing an apple fall from it in the 1660s, and it fell during Storm Eunice in Cambridge the previous year.

The clone was destroyed by strong winds in February 2022 after being planted at the Botanic Garden of Cambridge University in 1954. The original tree was supposed to have fallen during a storm in the early 19th century and was situated in the grounds of Newton’s boyhood home at Woolsthorpe Manor near Grantham, Lincolnshire. The Cambridge tree was carefully kept when it fell, anticipating creative uses for its wood.

A year later, Nabil Ali, the resident artist at the botanic garden, used the ink that was removed from the tree’s bark to create an artwork consisting of 68 apples. This indicated the age of the tree before it collapsed. Peeling the bark, soaking it for a day and a half, grinding it, boiling it to release tannin, and adding alum were the steps used to make the ink.

According to our knowledge, this is the first time the hidden colors inside a branch of Newton’s motivational tree have been discovered. “Although I had initially expected to receive black pigment, what I actually received was a deep, rich, dark golden yellow.”

The curator of Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden, Dr. Samuel Brockington, confirmed that the genome sequencing of the Cambridge tree had been successfully carried out by the Darwin Tree of Life project.

According to a thorough examination, it is evident that our tree closely resembles other descendants, confirming that it is a true clone of the Grantham original tree, which met a similar demise in the 19th century.

The botanic park crew spent three years grafting and securing children of Newton’s apple tree, which are now properly preserved in preparation for the tree’s anticipated demise. These offspring will be moved to a different garden area to prevent the honey fungus, which may have weakened the tree and caused it to collapse during the storm, from occurring again.

“Our staff and visitors loved the tree, and we had hoped for creative uses for its timber,” Dr. Brockington remarked. We are happy that Nabil caught its distinctive color.

“We anticipate the applications of Newton’s Gold,” they say, “and his work inspires engagement with the natural world through art and performance.”

The display had 68 apples made from a mold of an apple that was taken from the tree in 2016. On October 22, it will make its debut during Apple Day at the Botanic Garden of Cambridge University.