Back in August 1999 The Mushroom People carried a piece on whether Spent Mushroom Compost was good for Bramley orchards.
The evidence then was preliminary but positive.
Now, scientists are trying to preserve the genetic legacy of the original Bramley apple tree before it dies. The tree, which is more than 200 years old, resides in the garden of cottages in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and has been infected by honey fungus and cannot be saved.
A scientific team from Nottingham Trent University have taken frozen tissue samples of the tree to carry out future work into its genetic make-up. The team are also working to identify genes which are responsible for flavour and storage qualities of the fruit.
The pip that started the tree was planted by Mary Ann Brailsford in 1809.
