Campaign Launched to Fund Preservation of Historic Bramley Apple Tree

An initiative has commenced to secure financial contributions for the initial Bramley apple tree, established over two centuries ago. Mary Ann Brailsford planted the tree in her parents’ garden, located on Church Street in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, sometime between the years 1809 and 1815. Approximately five decades subsequent to its planting, Henry Merryweather, then aged 17, encountered a gardener transporting some of the fruit. He received permission to obtain cuttings from the “Bramley Seedling,” which subsequently evolved into one of the United Kingdom’s most favored cooking apple varieties. Nevertheless, the foundational tree is afflicted by honey fungus, a condition that its present proprietor, Nottingham Trent University (NTU), stated would ultimately cause its demise. Bramley apples represent a highly favored variety within the UK, supported by over 300 cultivators in England and an annual yield of approximately 83,000 tonnes. The initial Bramley tree was designated among the 50 Great British Trees during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 and received recognition again for the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Artist Dan Llywelyn Hall has revealed new artistic creations titled Swansong Of The Mother Bramley, which are on display at the Southwell Minster. Prints of these works are offered as a component of the fundraising initiative. Contributions gathered through the campaign will be allocated to a tree assessment and efforts to clear surrounding vegetation and the honey fungus. Celia Stevens, who is Henry Merryweather’s granddaughter, advocated for enhanced public accessibility to and understanding of the tree, which currently resides within a private garden. She commented, “It is so disappointing that with its two prestigious awards that the surrounding garden in no way reflects what the Bramley has done for this country both locally and nationally, and that includes food during the Second World War.” NTU stated that concerns regarding the tree’s maintenance had not been brought forward prior to this, further noting that it had not been consulted concerning the fundraising campaign. The university indicated that the tree was already afflicted by honey fungus before it assumed custodianship, and that it had “already outlived its natural lifespan by quite some time.” It declared, “We are incredibly proud to be custodian of the original Bramley apple tree and recognise its significance to the local and wider community.” “The tree still bears fruit and the university continues to work hard to look after it to try to prolong its life and maintain it in the most appropriate way for a tree of this age and condition,” it added.