Points North: How ‘Bout Them Apples?
On a remote island in Lake Michigan, old apple trees may hold rare, never-before-discovered genes, potentially joining the U.S. stockpile to fight future threats.
By Austin Rowlader, Interlochen Public Radio, Points North is a biweekly podcast about the Great Lakes and its inhabitants.
The Search for Rare Apple Trees
Luke Marion searches for apple trees on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, collecting cuttings from the branches and storing them in a cooler to remain dormant.
The island, located 32 miles off mainland Michigan, may hold the key to discovering unique apple genes.
There’s a chance these particular apple trees could be very rare.
Austin Rowlader: Author of the article about rare apples.