This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-36826038

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Original Bramley apple tree in Southwell is dying Original Bramley apple tree in Southwell is dying
(about 9 hours later)
The original Bramley apple tree - planted more than 200 years ago and the "mother" of all modern Bramley apples - is dying from a fungal infection.The original Bramley apple tree - planted more than 200 years ago and the "mother" of all modern Bramley apples - is dying from a fungal infection.
The tree was sown by a girl called Mary Ann Brailsford in 1809 in the Nottinghamshire town of Southwell.The tree was sown by a girl called Mary Ann Brailsford in 1809 in the Nottinghamshire town of Southwell.
It has been neglected since the death of owner Nancy Harrison almost two years ago. Landowner Coulson Howard, who took on the garden from his aunt Nancy Harrison, has been told the fungus is incurable.
Bio-scientist Prof Ted Cocking, who has cloned the tree, said the people of Southwell should care for the Bramley. He hopes to find a way to preserve the tree once it has died.
Prof Cocking, from Nottingham University, has studied the tree for many years and used tissue cultures to micro-propagate the tree and create clones of the original Bramley. "It's all very sad. The tree has honey fungus and I have asked everybody if there is a treatment. All the advice seems to be that it is fatal," he said.
"In the long term once it has died, I would like to preserve the tree where it stands for as long as possible."
Bio-scientist Prof Ted Cocking, from Nottingham University, has studied the tree for many years and used tissue cultures to micro-propagate the tree and create clones of the original Bramley.
"It looks as though it is going to die - although we can never be 100% certain with a tree."It looks as though it is going to die - although we can never be 100% certain with a tree.
"It is a great shame. Ms Harrison devoted most of her life looking after the tree and entertaining people who came from all over the world to visit the tree."It is a great shame. Ms Harrison devoted most of her life looking after the tree and entertaining people who came from all over the world to visit the tree.
"Since her death, nobody has looked after the tree. The people of Southwell should club together to care for the tree and the garden - it wouldn't cost much.
"Even if it is dying - we all want to die with dignity. It needs to be nursed in its terminal years.""Even if it is dying - we all want to die with dignity. It needs to be nursed in its terminal years."
From one tree to thousandsFrom one tree to thousands
Prof Cocking said the fungal infection gets into the water transport system of the tree and slowly kills it off - similar to a human's arteries getting clogged up.Prof Cocking said the fungal infection gets into the water transport system of the tree and slowly kills it off - similar to a human's arteries getting clogged up.
Any extra stresses - such as a long hot summer - could hasten its death.Any extra stresses - such as a long hot summer - could hasten its death.
Clones taken by Prof Cocking and his team have now reached maturity and are sold commercially.Clones taken by Prof Cocking and his team have now reached maturity and are sold commercially.
He said the fruit has a higher concentration of vitamin C and more flavour than that of the 200-year-old specimen and its descendants.He said the fruit has a higher concentration of vitamin C and more flavour than that of the 200-year-old specimen and its descendants.
Sir John Starkey, who sells the fruit, said he asked Prof Cocking to clone the original tree as an experiment to "see how they behaved in commercial conditions."Sir John Starkey, who sells the fruit, said he asked Prof Cocking to clone the original tree as an experiment to "see how they behaved in commercial conditions."
"They looked more like tomato plants, little thin spindly things. I thought they are not going to survive in the wild but how wrong I was because in a few years they were outgrowing in dimensions and vigour the trees which I had from my nursery men," said."They looked more like tomato plants, little thin spindly things. I thought they are not going to survive in the wild but how wrong I was because in a few years they were outgrowing in dimensions and vigour the trees which I had from my nursery men," said.
The Bramley became popular because the apple stores well and keeps its flavour when cooked. About 83,000 tonnes of them are now grown in Britain annually.The Bramley became popular because the apple stores well and keeps its flavour when cooked. About 83,000 tonnes of them are now grown in Britain annually.
According to the The Bramley Apple Information Service, it is not well known outside the UK except in Japan where it is revered.According to the The Bramley Apple Information Service, it is not well known outside the UK except in Japan where it is revered.
One Japanese apple farmer said he "nearly cried" when he visited Southwell.One Japanese apple farmer said he "nearly cried" when he visited Southwell.