The world’s oldest Bramley apple tree planted in 1809 is thriving thanks to a UK university.
Head of Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University, Julia Davies, 59, says that they are working to preserve the first-ever Bramley apple tree after it became infected with a honey fungus a number of years ago which is slowly killing the tree.
The tree is located in the garden of cottages in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, which were bought by the university and transformed into student accommodation in a bid to get possession of the tree and work to preserve it for as long as possible.
As well as working to keep the tree alive for as long as possible, students and academics from Nottingham Trent University are also carrying out research on the tree to find out more about its genetic make-up and about the popular Bramley apples it produces.
Julia said: “Our aim is to keep the tree going for as long as possible. “We want members of the public to have the chance to visit and see the tree as it is pretty special. “We have also already carried out extensive genetic work on the tree and we will be doing lots more of this too. “We don’t want the story of this incredible tree to end, so we are constantly looking at ways that we can do more with the tree.”
“For example, we are investigating the genetic differences between the original Bramley tree and trees grown from grafted Bramley tissue. “We also have frozen tissue samples of the tree so that we can continue to carry out more work in the future about its genetic make-up. “We are also working to identify which genes are responsible for the flavour and storage qualities of the fruit. “While the history of the tree is important and interesting, there is also a commercial importance to our work due to the popularity of the iconic Bramley apples.”
The Bramley apple tree came about after a pip that was planted by Mary-Ann Brailsford in 1809. 47 years later, when the tree and cottages belonged to Matthew Bramley, he allowed a nurseryman, Henry Merryweather, to take to take grafts from the tree in return for the saplings being named Bramley’s Seedlings.
Julia explained that Henry Merryweather has recognised the outstanding quality of the apples and sold them which led to them becoming very popular.
She added: “The tree is now over 200 years old so it has had a good innings as apple trees tend not to survive beyond 150 years or so. “It comes as a result of old age and being infected by the honey fungus from the soil which has really impacted the trees decline. “Trees don’t last forever but we want this one to last as long as possible. “There is a lot of interest and affection in Southwell for the tree. “It is such a famous cooking variety and it is also really well known in Japan.”
“So we all recognised the real importance of looking after the tree for as long as we possibly can and continue our work to ensure the tree’s legacy lives on.”
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