Bramley's Seedling Apple Fruit Tree (Malus domestica 'Bramley's Seedling')

Bramley's Seedling Tree Description

The Bramley's Seedling is one of the most well-known and widely planted apple trees in the UK. Famous for its excellent cooking apples, it produces large, tart fruits perfect for baking, sauces, and preserves. A vigorous and robust variety, Bramley's Seedling trees can become long-lived and productive with the right care. Bramley's Seedling apple tree requires patience as it takes several years to bear fruit, but once mature, it becomes a highly productive and valuable tree in any garden or orchard. Regular care and attention to pruning will ensure a healthy, long-lived tree with abundant crops for decades.

Pruning Advice

Formative Pruning: During the tree’s first 3-5 years, prune in winter to establish a strong, open structure.

Remove any crossing branches and encourage the development of a balanced framework to allow sunlight and air to penetrate.

Maintenance Pruning: Once established, prune annually in late winter to early spring (January to March), removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Thin out crowded areas and reduce overly vigorous shoots to maintain shape and size.

Fruit Pruning: Remove small, misshapen, or diseased fruit early in the season to direct energy to the healthiest apples. Consider thinning clusters to one or two fruits to improve size and quality.

Rejuvenation Pruning: Older trees can be revitalised with more drastic pruning, removing up to one-third of the tree to stimulate new growth. This should be done over a few years to avoid stressing the tree.

Further Information

The Bramley's Seedling apple tree is a classic British variety known for its exceptional cooking qualities and high yield. Here are some key benefits:

1. Superior Cooking Apple: Bramley's Seedling apples have a sharp, tart flavor and high acidity, making them ideal for pies, crumbles, and sauces. Their flesh holds its shape well when cooked, and their high pectin content helps create smooth jams and preserves.
2. High Yield: This variety is known for its prolific fruit production, providing a bountiful harvest year after year. A mature tree can produce up to 150kg (330 lbs) of apples in a good season, making it a reliable choice for home growers and small orchards.
3. Long Storage Life: Bramley apples store well over the winter, allowing you to enjoy them fresh, or use them in cooking, for months after harvesting. Properly stored, they can last until spring.
4. Pest and Disease Resistance: Bramley's Seedling trees are generally resilient against many common apple diseases, such as scab and mildew, meaning less maintenance and fewer pesticides are needed for healthy growth.
5. Pollinator-Friendly: The tree blossoms in mid-spring, attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators. However, it does require a pollination partner, as it is a triploid variety and cannot pollinate itself or other apple trees.
6. Cold-Hardy and Adaptable: Bramley’s Seedling is well-suited to the UK’s climate and thrives in various soil types, making it a hardy choice for different growing conditions.
7. Traditional Heritage: As a heritage British apple dating back to the early 19th century, Bramley's Seedling holds cultural value and a reputation for high quality, making it a cherished choice for gardeners interested in preserving British heritage varieties.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.