West Country cider maker works with Bristol Uni to preserve apples
The research has been prompted amid the climate emergency
A West Country-based cider maker is working with the University of Bristol on a set of 'groundbreaking' research into the preservation of apples.
It has all been prompted by the worsening climate, with their efforts alongside Sandford Orchards in Devon particularly looking at varieties of the fruit which are unique or threatened - as, of course, apples are the beating heart of the industry.
Devon is said to be a perfect micro-climate for cider apples, and is home to the country’s oldest mill and orchards.
Kieth Edwards, Professor of Crop Genetics at Bristol University will be working to identify and map apple varieties by poking small holes into individual leaves from trees, providing DNA samples which they are then able to test, and by using What3Words, can identify the location of the tree.
Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchard said that he believes apples are at 'grave risk' - adding some varieties 'won’t survive the next 50 to 100 years' - just because of climate change.
He added: "The old genetics of apples are often more resilient to climate change, pests and can cope better; but they may not be as prolific as preferred varieties at the moment.
"I am an opponent of referring to climate change as something that may happen, we are well through that. We are living in an already changed climate, we need to be thinking very seriously and fast about how we are going to make it work for us."
To be able to save a specific apple variety, a branch of its tree must be granted onto another, growing tree.
Barny explained: "If we lose these trees with ancient varieties on you can’t store their seeds, you can only keep them alive by keeping at least one of the trees alive.
"So we are going into orchards and finding the remnant survivors’ of apple breeding. If we don’t keep them alive, they will be gone forever”.
Trees are naturally more resilient as they produce an annual crop and lock in carbon; compared to wheat and grains which have to be planted and harvested. This year there is a quarter less wheat in the ground due to the wet start to the year.