Friendship Tree

The Friendship Tree was planted as a scientific experiment to create a new hybrid of mandarin orange, by FM Zorin in Sochi Agricultural and garden Experiment Station. The tree's experiments became a collection of 45 different types of citrus fruit grafted on it, with more planted in the botanical gardens. In 1940 the arctic explorer and Soviet scientist Otto Yulyevich Schmidt visited the tree and botanical garden. As a token of his love for the nature of his Soviet Union homeland, he grafted a new citrus bud on the crown of the tree. People from various countries, nationalities, professions, and religions later continued the example, creating a tradition. The experimental citrus tree was…