I've sung both the Posten version in church choir & Ingalls' at shape note singings. I like them both.

Ingalls' is also in Northern Harmony. Anyone know if it' even been in the Nowell Sing We Clear repertoire? Tony Barrand certanily knows it.

The second verse is used as the chorus. The Words here have 2 more verses so I am reposting the whole thing. Anyone with access to Digital Evans? You could actually look at the original.   290 of These institutions have it. (We have Early American Newspapers, which I've already checked)

The Appletree 12
Lyrics: Anon.
Tune: Jeremiah Ingalls
Meter: L.M.D. (8.8.8.8.8.8.8.8.)

The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green;
The trees of nature fruitless be,
Compar'd with Christ the Appletree.

    Chorus:
    This beauty doth all things excel,
    By faith I know but ne'er can tell,
    The glory which I now can see
    In Jesus Christ the Appletree.

For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought,
I miss'd of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the Appletree.

I'm wearied with my former toil,
Here I shall sit and rest awhile;
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the Appletree.

With great delight I'll make my stay,
There none shall fright my soul away;
Among the songs of men I see,
There's none like Christ the Appletree.

I'll sit and eat this fruit divine,
It cheers my heart like spiritual wine;
And now this fruit is sweet to me,
That grows on Christ the Appletree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the Appletree.