Fruit trees are continually being developed and hybridized by the commercial sector to provide fruit trees with specific qualities, often related to the shelf life of fruit and ease of picking. Heritage fruit trees or ‘Heirloom fruit trees‘ are those that have survived relatively unchanged for many years and have been kept because of the taste of the fruit and other qualities that make them desirable.
Many types of fruit trees are available as Heritage Varieties, not only apples, but also fruit trees including pears, plums, figs and cherries. Most of the best cider apples are heritage varieties.
A little history of Heritage Fruit Trees in Australia
In Australia a few nurseries have been preserving and selling heritage fruit trees for many years, perhaps the best known is the now closed ‘Badgers Keep’ outside Chewton in Victoria, Clive Winmill who had a collection of over 500 apple trees probably started the heritage fruit movement in Australia.
Badgers Keep is closed but others are taking up the task, until last year ‘Stunsail Boom River’ was offering a great range of heritage fruit trees. Kim Gregory has unfortunately temporarily (we hope) closed while he is off on a new adventure, hopefully he will return and open up this wonderful nursery again.
So Why Heritage Fruit Trees Anyway
Put simple Apples ‘aint Apples, Heritage fruit trees are fruit trees with flavor, they may not look as good as a polished apple or pear that has been sitting in a cool room for months, but by gosh they taste great.
Heritage Fruit Trees are available from the following nurseries and growers
Mail order fruit tree nursery with over 200 temperate climate fruit trees.
Heritage varieties and dwarf fruit trees. Apple Trees, Stone Fruit, Nut Trees and Berry Fruit.
www.yalcafruittrees.com.au