Tree of Youth

The Tree of Youth (also, the Tree of Life) was the largest and most spectacular silver apple tree growing in centre of the orchard in the Garden of Youth in Narnian-year 1, bearing shimmering silver apples with magical properties. It was also the very first silver apple tree in existence.

The tree was enclosed within the Garden and roosting in its branches was a single phoenix (and the only one ever seen in Narnia). The apples of the tree were silver and beautiful though having surprisingly dark juices within.

The first person to eat the Apples of Youth was Jadis, who climbed over the wall of the Garden. (In eating the apples, she violated a sign that bore a warning that the apples should only be plucked to help others—not to be eaten for oneself.) Jadis claimed, upon greedily eating one, that she felt these apples had made changes within her so that she knew she would never grow old or die. She approached Digory Kirke (who had entered the Garden properly: through its golden gates) who had plucked an apple in obedience to Aslan. The smell of the apples were often perceived as being almost irresistable, tempting Digory to eat one even when he knew he should not.

When Digory returned to Aslan with the Apple of Youth, Aslan told him to throw it on the bank of the Great River of Narnia, where it grew into the Tree of Protection that guarded the Kingdom of Narnia from Jadis's return from Narnian-years 1 to 900.