Born in Newburgh, New York, his taste for horticultural pursuits was early stimulated by close contact with a nursery owned by his father, Samuel Downing. Upon the death of his father in 1822, he succeeded to the entire charge of the establishment.
Even while attending an academy in the neighborhood he worked a portion of the time in this nursery. About 1850 he discontinued his commercial nursery and henceforward until the end of his career devoted himself to extensive experiments with varieties of fruits. His research activities had much to do with placing nursery gardening on a scientific basis.
The test orchard which he developed contained trees and grafts of 1,800 varieties of apples, 1,000 of pears, and other fruits in similar numbers.
Following his brother"s death, Charles Downing reissued the book in multiple editions, adding new material that he provided, until the volume was twice as large in content as when it first appeared. Andrew had made the book the best publication of the kind in the United States.
Charles by his additions and revisions made it well-known abroad. He also wrote many articles upon horticultural subjects under the initials "C. Doctorate." His work throughout was conscientious and accurate, and he was internationally recognized as an authority upon pomology, horticulture, and tree growths.
While in New York City in 1883, Downing was knocked down and run over by a horsecar.
He never completely recovered from the injuries he received and died two years later. Downing bequeathed his library of books and manuscripts to the Iowa Agricultural College Horticulture Department. His drawings and descriptions of apples and other fruits became a major source for the fruit sections of the 1903 American Horticultural Manual.
Quiet, modest, and retiring, although an active member of horticultural societies, he would never make a public speech.
