The crab apple tree (Malus Sylvestris) is our only native apple tree here in the UK. These beautifully gnarly, small trees live to about 100 years old and can be found growing in moist well-drained soil. They can also be found in wild hedges bearing their beautiful fruit or delicate flowers depending the time of the year. The true crab apple is scarce as the trees that we recognise are often cross pollinated with other apple species. True crab apples have very small fruit which are often very red and grow in clumps where the hybrid apples grow individually and are more yellowy/green.
The magical apple tree
Updated: Oct 23
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