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How old is my Bramley Apple Tree?

deborasmith33deborasmith33 Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Can anyone help me age my tree? I’ve had a couple of tree surgeons say they think anywhere from 150-250 years old. His massive abs beautiful and I want to ensure it stays that way. I’m not a gardener so any advice would be greatly received. 

Also, at this age, is there anything I can do to ensure no one cuts it down in the future (it dominates a narrow garden).

thanks 

Posts

  • koyukanokoyukano Posts: 72
    Not sure, but that's a Lovely tree. 
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    It can't be 250 years old as the bicentennery of the Bramley was in 2009. It is more likely to be about 120 years old as they began to be planted more widely in the early 1900's. That is still a fair age for an apple tree though and it should have a good few years left in it.
    You might need props for some of the major branches in future. I would try to get some expert advice from the likes of the RHS or the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale.
    I don't know if you can get a Tree Protection Order for fruit trees but you could contact your council tree protection officer for advice.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    When we moved into our home there was a Bramley already in situ. It is an amazing tree and produces abundant apples every year without stop. However the trunk is only half having been hollowed/rotted over the years.
    As we have been here now for over 50 years this amazing bramley must be a lot lot older.
    Agree with Steephill.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    It does look as though it has been somewhat over pruned in the past as there are a lot of long whippy growths at the end of each main branch. Hard pruning in winter stimulates a lot of this growth. It would be best to thin it out over several seasons, and in late summer shorten some of the new growth. This will help keep it more compact & lessen the risk of people being tempted to take it down. 
    AB Still learning

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Are you sure it's a Bramley?
  • deborasmith33deborasmith33 Posts: 3
    Thank you all
    for your comments! Really appreciate. 
    As far as we are aware it’s an original bramley. The people who lived here before were here for 50 years and the neighbours longer - all have apples from it still abs say it’s a bramley. The apples look like Bramley’s. Bumper crop this year and they were huge. 
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