Crab Apple Tree
A Comprehensive Gluttonous Gardener Plant Care Guide
The crab apple is a beautiful tree which makes a stunning feature in any garden. Clusters of fragrant white blossoms in spring are followed by crops of golden fruits in early autumn. Any unpicked fruit will remain bright and beautiful on the bare branches into winter, when peckish wild birds will flock into the garden to feast on them.
In a nutshell
Fragrant
Flowers
Tree
Fruit
Care Instructions
Planting
Your crab apple tree will be happiest in well-drained soil in a sunny position in the garden. During the winter the tree will be dormant and leafless, but it is hardy, so should not be kept indoors. It may be planted at any time of year.
After unpacking, remove the coir circle from around the base of the tree. Dig a shallow, broad hole three times the width of the root ball, breaking up soil in the surrounding area to allow the newly emerging roots to expand. Sprinkle a little bonemeal or compost in the bottom of the hole. Plant with the topmost roots just below the surface of the soil. Remove the tree from the pot and place it in the hole, replace soil to level ground and firm the soil down with your heel. Water well.
Watering
Water the tree well during the first summer, and regularly during dry periods until the tree is well established.
Feeding
Your crab apple tree will be delighted to receive a generous helping of well-rotted manure or compost every spring.
Pruning
Crab apple trees require very little pruning, but will always benefit from a quick tidy up. In late winter or early spring, simply look them over and remove any dead, diseased or damaged stems.
Fruit
Crab apple trees produce a bountiful crop of small, brightly coloured fruit in the early-late autumn. These tart and tangy apples can be turned into vibrant, jewel-like jellies and jams.
The fruit is also irresistible to birds and other wildlife, particularly in the late autumn and early winter when other food sources become scarcer.