Malus sylvestris
Common Crab Apple

Description

Features:

✓ Medium-sized, Native tree
✓ Pretty pink buds in spring opening to white flowers
✓ Yellow Crab Apples in autumn
✓ Good for wildlife; pollinators and birds

Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) makes a very hardy shrubby hedge or small tree which can grow well in either partial shade or sun and even dry, exposed areas. It blooms around early May and are a god source of pollen for insects, particularly an attraction to bees. After frost in autumn, yellow/green fruits appear. They are apple-like and very sour when eaten raw, they have a high pectin content. Birds like fieldfare, song thrush, blackbird and redwing enjoy the crabs, as do mammals including mice, voles and badgers. Will grow up to 9m in height as a tree, or can be kept smaller by pruning.

Don't forget to consider:
Wooden stake to support the tree - buy here.
Tree tie to secure your tree to its stake - buy here.
Tree and Shrub Compost to add a layer of good soil in the planting hole - buy here.
Mycorrhizal fungi to encourage strong, new roots - buy here.