Valuable New Australian Fruit Cultivars
Gippsland resident L. Ralph Barraclough writes:
'For over a quarter of a century I have been propagating trees from seedlings growing along the roads and just inside the farmers fence.
'As well as these seedlings I have an extensive collection of named varieties, the Northern Spy apple amongst these dates back to arriving on the first fleet.
'I have over 200 varieties of apples, about 100 varieties of plums along with apricots nectarines and peaches.
'Some of my most treasured trees have come from the side of the road.
'It should never be forgotten that most of our fruit trees originally started from a seedling that grew somewhere from a cast off seed. The Granny Smith is the most famous of our Australian apples, it was a seedling from an apple core thrown out in the back yard of Granny Smith's house.
'Apples are micro climate sensitive. Cox's Orange Pippin rated as the best apple in the UK has been hardly worth growing at my place. The Quarrenden apple which was bought to Glencairn in 1906 from Goodmans Nursery in Bairnsdale is an exceptional apple at Glencairn. Only 20 kilometres down the road at my place it is just an average apple. The Quarrenden was a seedling beside a road in France in the 1700's.
'I have at least 16 plums amongst my collection that have been propagated from roadside seedlings.
'It must never be forgotten that years ago I picked up some potatoes growing wild way up in the mountains, miles from anywhere. These are now a crop grown commercially.'
'For over a quarter of a century I have been propagating trees from seedlings growing along the roads and just inside the farmers fence.
'As well as these seedlings I have an extensive collection of named varieties, the Northern Spy apple amongst these dates back to arriving on the first fleet.
'I have over 200 varieties of apples, about 100 varieties of plums along with apricots nectarines and peaches.
'Some of my most treasured trees have come from the side of the road.
'It should never be forgotten that most of our fruit trees originally started from a seedling that grew somewhere from a cast off seed. The Granny Smith is the most famous of our Australian apples, it was a seedling from an apple core thrown out in the back yard of Granny Smith's house.
'Apples are micro climate sensitive. Cox's Orange Pippin rated as the best apple in the UK has been hardly worth growing at my place. The Quarrenden apple which was bought to Glencairn in 1906 from Goodmans Nursery in Bairnsdale is an exceptional apple at Glencairn. Only 20 kilometres down the road at my place it is just an average apple. The Quarrenden was a seedling beside a road in France in the 1700's.
'I have at least 16 plums amongst my collection that have been propagated from roadside seedlings.
'It must never be forgotten that years ago I picked up some potatoes growing wild way up in the mountains, miles from anywhere. These are now a crop grown commercially.'
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
BOISDALE FOOTY GROUND
Plum Found growing beside the Boisdale Footy Ground, on or close to the road reserve. Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown Ralph Barraclough writes: 'This is my favourite plum. I have 3 trees growing [at home] to ensure its survival.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
BRIAGOLONG
Plum A tree that grew beside the railway line in Stratford, Gippsland, Victoria. Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown R. Barraclough writes: 'This appears to be possibly a Wickson cross. I rate this as one of the best plums on my place out of the hundred varieties I have.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
BUSHY PARK
Nectarine Found growing on the side of the road at Bushy Park not far from the Avon River near Boisdale. Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown Ralph Barraclough writes: 'This Nectarine has been propagated from one end of the state to the other, it is my favourite nectarine.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
DELTA SEEDLING
Apple Discovered growing on the roadside near the old Delta Bridge, Briagolong, Gippsland, beside the property once owned by Michael Landy who had over 50 varieties of apple growing in the 1880's. Ralph Barraclough writes: 'This apple was possibly a seedling from the orchard through the fence that exported apples in sailing ships to England around 1880 without cool storage.' Neil Barraclough, who named it. 1988 Early flowering. V1? Likely a seedling from Irish Peach. Similar to Irish Peach but possibly more varied in size, soft, sweet, juicy and crunchy. Ripens early to mid January, n/a Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
EAGLE POINT STAR
Apple Discovered growing on the roadside near Eagle Point in Gippsland, Victoria. Not known. Not known. Has purple flowers. Fruit tastes like a crab apple. When cut open, white flesh reveals a red star in the middle. Commercially sold by Yalca Fruit Tree Nursery, and MiApple Fruit Trees, Victoria. |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
GREMLINS PRIDE
Apple A roadside seedling at Agnes near Toora in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Peter Hills' neighbours' kids. Named by Peter in their honour. Unknown Unknown Unknown Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
HEYWARR
Apple Found growing beside the bitumen road between Heyfield and Cowwarr in Gippsland, Victoria. Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown A small, sweet apple. Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
HICKEYS No 1 & HICKEYS No 2
Cherry Plums Grew beside the road at Hickeys Creek between Licola and Heyfield in Gippsland, Victoria. Ralph Barraclough. Unknown. Unknown. They are lovely sweet plums that ripen after Maffra Early. About 1 in 100 cherry plums produce excellent fruit. Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
HIGGINS SEEDLING
Apple An apple that grew inside the fence on private land at Glencairn. Ralph Barraclough. Unknown. Unknown. It is similar to the Granny Smith, a bit later ripening, without some of the disease problems. This tree was accidentally sprayed from the air with thistle spray and the one I [Ralph Barraclough] have is probably the only one in existence. I treasure this apple and am propagating it. Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
JEERALANG ROSE
Apple Jeeralang, Gippsland, Victoria. Mark and Margaret Brammer Late 2000s Unknown Taste and texture are poor, but flesh has an unusual pink tinge which makes this apple worthy of collection as a curiosity. Mark and Margaret Brammer |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
KILLEENS SEEDLING
Apple Growing on the roadside at Boisdale, Gippsland, Victoria. The late Maurice "Snow" Killeen. 1990 Unknown Large, good flavour, V2? Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
MAFFRA EARLY
Plum Maffra Early was a tree that used to grow across the road from the old Maffra Railway Station. Ralph Barraclough. Unknown Unknown R. Barraclough writes: 'While it is not a prolific bearer it is a week ahead of any other plum I have.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
MEERLIEU
Apple Found growing on the roadside at Meerlieu, Gippsland, Victoria. Discovered and named by Neil Barraclough 2007 Unknown Medium large, crunchy and sweet. Ripens April-May, V1? Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
SCOTTS DARGO
Plum A seedling from Scott's place in Dargo, Victoria, Australia. Ralph Barraclough. Unknown Unknown R. Barraclough writes: 'It is better than the commercial stock.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
SILCOCKS
Apple Found growing on Silcock's Hill, Toora, Gippsland, Victoria. Discovered and named by Peter Hill 2011 Ripens mid to late February, medium large. good flavour. V3? Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
TRAF PRINCE
Apple Discovered growing near Trafalgar in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Neil Barraclough, who named it. 2013 Unknown Dessert apple, variable sized small to medium fruit, sweet, juicy and hoping like hell that it isn't a biennial bearer. Ripens mid June to mid August and possibly later. V2? Spreading growth habit and spur flowering. No other apples known to match it for flavour that time of year. Sweet, juicy and crunchy, available picked fresh from the tree from mid June to perhaps mid August when it is perhaps the best flavoured apple available. Yalca Fruit Trees |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
WATERFORD
Apple Waterford Apple grew before the fires below the road at Waterford south of Dargo, Victoria, Australia. Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown This is another nice, sweet, smallish apple that bears over a longer period than the commercial varieties. Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
WAVERLEY
Cherry Plum Not strictly a roadside find, 'Waverley' was an accidental seedling discovered growing in the backyard of a home in the Melbourne suburbs. C. Thornton 2006 White flowers in mid spring. A golden cheery-plum with pale yellow flesh. Excellent flavour - has a nice sweetness and tang. N/A |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
WAYSIDE
Apple Found growing beside the Princes Highway between Camperdown and Warrnambool, Victoria. C. Thornton March 2011 Unknown A large, bright red dessert apple with attractive stripes, very sweet, good texture; flavour has overtones of honey. Ripens mid March. Appears to be resistant to apple scab (not confirmed). N/A |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
WOLLANGARRA
Cherry Plum A seedling, one from over a hundred wild cherry plums that grew wild in the paddocks and along the road at Hickeys Creek near Wollangarra, Gippsland, Victoria. Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown Ralph Barraclough writes: 'I suspect it has a high vitamin C content. It is a lovely sweet plum to eat.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
WOODS POINT TIN SHED
Apple Found growing near the road beside a tin shed at Woods Point, Gippsland, Victoria. Discovered and named by Ralph Barraclough Unknown Unknown Ripens late February? Good crop every year, heavy bearer. Ralph Barraclough writes: 'Of my two hundred plus apples I would rate it in the top 5 for a home gardener.' Contact Neil Barraclough |
NAME
FRUIT TYPE LOCATION DISCOVERER DATE FLOWERING INFORMATION DESCRIPTION VIGOUR, GROWTH HABIT & FRUITING TYPE, eg, TIP OR SPUR REASON IT SHOULD BE PROPAGATED & DISTRIBUTED AVAILABLE FROM: |
WOODS POINT WINTER
Apple Woods Point Winter is another apple that also grew on the side of the road at Woods Point. Ralph Barraclough. Unknown Unknown R. Barraclough writes: 'For some reason the birds tend to leave it alone for longer.' Contact Neil Barraclough |