York U physicist, Newton apple-tree guardian, available for comment ahead of Gravity Day
York Physics and Astronomy Department welcome two new seedlings of Newton-tree descendant to Keele Campus
TORONTO, Sept 5, 2023 – York University’s Newton apple tree has had a storied existence, with lineage that is thought to go back to Sir Isaac Newton’s original discovery of gravity in the 1600s and the apple tree that infamously played muse to the physicist — even if the story about the apple falling on his head isn’t exactly how it really went down.
York’s tree has stood, if not tall, then certainly proud, at the university for 25 years now. Ahead of Gravity Day this Sunday (9/8), the guardians of the tree in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York can now reveal that two new seedlings have joined the mature tree.
“I feel like the lineage is safe now,” says Faculty of Science Associate Professor Cody Storry, a physicist and self-described apple guy who recently planted 50 apple trees for his 50th birthday and has taken on the responsibility for the Newton apple trees on behalf of the department. “Going into a new school year, it’s a great time to talk about science. Gravity is a type of physics that everyone can relate to, and I love the fairy-tale aspect of the Newton story.”
Storry is available for interviews on campus this week and during the month of September in the lead up to National Tree Day (celebrated Sept. 25 and 28 this year, depending on the municipality) and from the Uxbridge Fall Fair or the nearby orchard Banjo Cider this Gravity Day, Sunday Sept. 8. Storry can comment on:
- Why Gravity Day is celebrated Sept. 8, the story of Newton’s discovery of gravity and why the international physics community has taken to planting descendants of the original Newton apple tree around the world
- The story of how York came into possession of a Newton Tree descendant and its adventures over the years
- Why trees planted from seed will not produce a Newton apple, why the seeds cultivated from York’s tree that went to space could likely never grow into a tree and other apple-tree facts
- The law of gravity (as well as: high-precision laser spectroscopy of atoms; experimental tests of quantum electrodynamics and the standard model; antimatter, especially antihydrogen and positronium; exotic states of matter; laser cooling and atom trapping)
About York University
York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. York’s fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario’s Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, York University Media Relations and External Communications, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca
