History & Discovery

Bardsey Island is a lonely wind-swept island off the tip of the Llyn Peninsular in North Wales. It has long been a venue for pilgrims both pagan and later Christian. A single gnarled old apple tree was discovered by Ian Sturrock near the remains of a 13th century abbey in 1999. Hailed as “the rarest tree in the world” it is perhaps all that remains of the monastic orchard. On the island both tree and fruit are completely disease free.

Fruit

A medium sized eating apple with a unique lemon aroma. Sweet and juicy. Excellent straight from the tree at the end of September. Keeps until November.

Rootstock & Eventual Tree Size

All fruit trees are grafted onto rootstocks. The rootstocks determine eventual tree size.
Bigger trees are more robust & produce more fruit, but take up more space.
Always choose a bigger rootstock if you need extra anchorage or your soil is poor (very wet, dry or rocky). Small trees cannot compete with grass and weeds.

Age Of The Tree

Some of our varieties are available to purchase as older trees. One year old maiden whips are a single trunk that you can then train yourself. Two year old trees are ready trained with a formed crown, but you will need to carry on training! See our video guides for more information on pruning.

If you want your fruit tree to remain smaller than its eventual tree size, simply prune back in the summer.

(Unsure about summer pruning? Click here to check out our video guide!)

Pollination Group B

Bilingual product label and small “Welsh to the Core!” tie-on label (left) included.

Bardsey Island Apple trees are now available in the USA. Contact Chad Parkhouse: justrolling96@gmail.com for more information.