Malus sylvestris (Crabapple)

Botanical name

Malus sylvestris

Other names

Crabapple, Crab apple, European apple, Wild crab

Genus

Malus Malus

Species

M. sylvestris - M. sylvestris is a small, rounded, sometimes thorny, deciduous tree with ovate, mid-green leaves and pink-flushed, white flowers in late spring followed by edible, sour, red-flushed, yellow-green fruit in autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Rounded

Toxicity

The seeds, if consumed in large quantities, are highly toxic.

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Colour

Flower

Flushed pink, White in Spring

Foliage

Mid-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Caterpillars , Woolly aphid , Red spider mite (box and other)

Specific diseases

Apple and pear canker , Apple scab , Fireblight , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Pruning Group 1

Propagation methods

Budding, Grafting, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Malus sylvestris (Crabapple) will reach a height of 9m and a spread of 7m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Specimen tree, Wildlife

Cultivation

Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions as well as partial shade. Requires another Malus for pollination. Will hybridise freely with other Malus in the garden.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Malus sylvestris (Crabapple)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Malus sylvestris (Crabapple)

Common pest name

Round headed apple tree borer

Scientific pest name

Saperda candida

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

American wood boring beetle; single European incursion into a German Island in the Baltic; limited likelihood of introduction into the UK due to small volume of trade and import inspections. Possible EU listing will limit risk further.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Malus sylvestris (Crabapple)

Common pest name

Citrus little leaf; Little leaf of citrus; Sour orange stem pitting; Stem pitting of sour orange; Xyloporosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Hop stunt viroid

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pest of hops present in America and parts of Europe. PHPS provides good assurance of disease freedom; but EU regulation to be pursued to enhance protection in the longer term.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/