Some of the
trees, planted around 1820–30 by Richard Jefferies’ father, still flourish in
the gardens of the Richard Jefferies Museum at Coate. The copper beech is
magnificent, and the mulberry still produces an excellent crop. Sadly, the russet apple tree, that featured
so affectionately in many of Richard Jefferies’ books, died in 1999 but not
before cuttings were taken to preserve the old, unknown strain.
The Richard
Jefferies Society successfully grafted a cutting on to a crab apple seedling
which grew into a productive tree in Mark Daniel’s Brighton garden. Further
cuttings were taken from this tree and several members raised saplings in their
own garden, one of which was planted back near the original tree in the
Jefferies’ garden.
Mr. Daniel also supplied the Brogdale Horticultural
Trust near Canterbury with a specimen apple for DNA testing but they could not
match it with any registered varieties. Official registration of the title was
taken up recently by Marcher Apple Network, a national charity run by
volunteers. They wanted to
submit this apple for consideration to be accredited and registered with the
name ‘Richard Jefferies Russet’. They described the apple as ‘a pale greenish–yellow, moderately firm, a little coarse, crisp, dry
yet juicy, not acid, with sweetness and pleasant flavour, no aroma.’
As of
November 2021 the apple is now
officially recognised as unique and is recognised with Jefferies’ name attached
along with his beautiful nature-writing works.
