News from the gardening world
University bids to safeguard ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ heritage
The legacy of one of the world’s most famous cooking apples looks set to be conserved, thanks to the intervention of an academic institution. Nottingham Trent University is currently in talks with the owner to become custodian of the ailing original, 200-year-old ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ apple tree, now stricken with honey fungus.
The iconic tree, identified in 2002 as one of the top 50 historic trees in the UK, was grown from a pip in the early 19th century and is located in a cottage garden in the town of Southwell, near to the University’s Brackenhust Campus.
The university wants to buy the site and a further property to create new postgraduate accommodation. The plan would also include opening up the cottage rose garden and tree to the public, as well as developing plans to formally celebrate the history and heritage of the tree.
“Unfortunately, it will inevitably perish, but we’d like to try and preserve the great tree of Southwell for as long as possible,” said Professor Robert Mortimer, a Dean at the University. “It has such huge cultural significance for the town and county, but also nationally and globally.”
If all goes well, horticultural staff and students from the university would first assess and then try to prolong the life of the tree. Grafts of the original tree would also be replanted at the Brackenhurst campus.