Wild Apples of Kazakhstan
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The natural wild apple of Kazakhstan, from which all other apples in the world are descended, is under threat of extinction. Check back soon for report . . . . |
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We thought it might be a good idea to grow some of these apples on our site. I wrote to ex-HDRA and was given the following information by Bob Sherman: |
I am well aware of the situation in Kazhakstan. The original fruit forest
is a fraction of what it once was. I have also had the opportunity as a
member of the RHS Fruit Group to hear Barrie Juniper talking about the
forests and his trip there with Prof Mabberley in preparation for writing
his book 'The Story of the Apple'. Principal amongst the campaigners and experts are Nigel Maxted, Shelagh Kell and Brian Ford-Lloyd of Birmingham University, with whom we work quite closely at times. Reading University now have curatorship of the National Fruuit Collection at Brogdale and they too have a clear interest in this situation. Garden Organic is not in a position to take up a campaign on this issue. It is outside our charitable aims and we simply do not have the resources to manage another campaign. We would, however, add our support to any international effort to save this unique resource. I think it would be a good idea to contact Brogdale. You might also like to contact Nigel Maxted (n.maxted@bham.ac.uk) or Brian Ford-Lloyd (b.ford-lloyd@bham.ac.uk), as they will give you an overview of work going on to press for better conservation of crop wild relatives. You might also get in touch with Barrie Juniper, who, I believe, has established a planting at Oxford University of wild Malus spp., sieversii and others. |
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15 Feb. I have now contacted four of these people by email. I await replies. This is what I said: |
Dear . . . . .
I was given your email by Bob Sherman of Garden Organic so I hope
you do not mind my writing to you.
I read about the wild apples of Kazakhstan and as I am setting up
a new organic garden for some people here, and they are very
environmentally aware, I wondered if you feel it useful for people here
to grow these trees, and if you have any kind of scheme set up for this?
If we could make a feature of this we could spread information - the
garden is on a well-trodden walking route alongside the Leeds-Liverpool
canal. You can find information on what we will be doing on my
website
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Phone call from Nigel Maxted Tues 16 Feb |
Nigel said that they are not allowed to take the wild apples out of K as they are a protected species. But that what they are doing is encouraging growers here to grow the apples that are and always have been traditional to their area. He said Brogdale would be able to advise which were the local apples for our area. and that they could probably put us in touch with a grower who has them. I said that will be real nice! And a great talking point for all the walkers we get, who are interested in what we do. As I have already emailed Brogdale I will wait for their reply before going further.
Actually Adam's Apples can recommend apples for your specific area, climate and soil type, and supply ten trees for £70. Nigel did not seem keen when I mentioned them, so we will see what Brogdale come up with and how their prices compare. I emailed them today specifically on this, since they did not answer the first email. |
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Reply from Derek Rye at Brogdale Sunday 21 Feb
Derek
Rye
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Hi Geraldine,
Of the 9 LANCASHIRE originating varieties the best known is the Keswick Codlin.
Yorkshire originating varieties include the famous Ribston Pippin and New Best Pool. both dessert varieties. The list for YORKSHIRE is :-
To read about these search at www.nationalfruitcollection.org.uk
where there are usually photos also. Also try www.keepers-nursery.co.uk
which has the more commonly grown varieties but a great many with
pollination times etc. Yorkshire of course has the R V Rogers Nursery at
Pickering with which I am less familiar. |
