I specialise in old and local apple and fruit varieties. I have a wide range of fruit trees and soft fruit selected for their excellent flavour and the ability to grow in the Sheffield, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area. Trees can be ordered at any time and are supplied bare-rooted in the autumn. click here to see the catalogue or if you’d like a paper version please contact me.
In recent years there has been a huge decline in the range of apples in British shops. Our traditional apples seem to have vanished and been replaced by uniform, bland imports. Perhaps because of this there has been a huge upsurge of interest in the growing of old varieties. You may be surprised to learn that there are still over 2,000 different English apple varieties.
In the past, each locality had its own fruit: there were Beeley Pippins and Newton Wonders in Derbyshire, Blakeney Red Pears in Gloucestershire, Damsons in Westmorland, and so on. Old trees can be repropagated before they die out and old varieties can be reintroduced to areas where they have been lost.
Many community groups are now getting together to help local people grow their own fruit.
Julian Brandram
Whether setting up such a project or working on your own, you will probably benefit from specialist help.
I’m Julian Brandram and have many years experience of growing fruit in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. I have a degree in Agricultural Botany and can supply a range of soft fruit and apple trees. I can also advise on the best varities for your locality.
