Apple variety Bramley Seedling

This is a video I took in the autumn and didn't put up until now. The Bramley Seedling is Britain's most widely planted apple, and by far the number 1 apple in Ireland. It was raised in a cottage garden in Church Street, Southwell in Nottinghamshire some time between 1809 and 1813 from a seed of unknown origin by 'a young lady gardener' Mary Ann Brailsford. The cottage was bought by Matthew Bramley in 1848, the apople was named and exhibited in 1876. The original tree is said to be still standing.

Bramley is a sour cooking apple although some people like to eat it raw in late winter when it has turned yellow and sweetened to some extent. It is great baked (core out the centre and stuff with brown sugar, sultanas and a dash of sweet sherry). It is a very large, spreading and sturdy tree.

2 tips. DO NOT plant a Bramley in too small a space, and don't prune the tips as it mainly bears on the tips. But if you have enough room, this is a deservedly popular apple tree for all processing and cooking purposes. Don't make cider with more than 20% of Bramley, it will be too sharp and lack body, but its a good addition to any juice to be consumes without fermentation. We used to grow a lot more Bramley, now we have just two trees. We could not sell them well for the best of reasons, nearly everyone has a tree of their own or nearby! A great apple for sharing with neighbours, as one tree will produce far too much fruit for an ordinary family most years. A heritage fruit in every way, except that it is not threatened with extinction like so many. Just don't plant one in too small a space.