More than a hundred years after John Hershey started a tree crop nursery in Downingtown, its importance cannot be understated when thinking of the efforts to save valuable food plants in the region and country, according to a staff report from The Valley Ledger. 

Hershey started what was considered “America’s No. 1 Tree Crop Farm” in 1921.  

For close to four decades, until he died in 1961, he made sure to actively select and propagate the best varieties and cultivars of both nut and fruit tree crop species for the nursery. 

Sadly, more than 50 percent of his trees have since been lost to development. 

Today, there are ongoing efforts to preserve plant genetics through agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees and shrubs with crop and animal production to help create environmental, economic, and social improvements. 

As part of these efforts, trees grafted from Hershey stock are being planted around the state, including 54 trees that were planted at Louise W. Moore Park in Northampton County last year to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Hershey Nursery. 

Read more about the Hershey Nursery in The Valley Ledger.