British Native Crab Apple 120/150cm (Bare root)
Malus sylvestris
£22.99
A charming native tree that brings beauty through all seasons. The Crab Apple Malus sylvestris offers spring blossom, autumn fruits, and great wildlife value. Perfect for smaller gardens, growing to 4-8 metres.
It makes a pretty specimen tree for the garden and is a good pollinator for other apples.
- ✓ Native British flowering tree offering spectacular spring displays of delicate pink-white blossoms, followed by traditional crab apples in autumn - perfect for making traditional jellies and preserves while providing natural food for garden wildlife
- ✓ Compact size reaching 6-8 metres at maturity, ideal for smaller gardens and spaces, forms an attractive rounded crown with spreading branches that create natural character and charm
- ✓ High wildlife value supporting local ecosystems - provides essential spring nectar for bees and pollinators, nesting sites for birds, and autumn fruits that feed wildlife through winter months
- ✓ Hardy native species that thrives in British weather, very low maintenance once established, suitable for all soil types and naturally disease resistant
- ✓ Quality UK grown stock from Yarrow Gardens - DEFRA Registered Supplier
In stock - Usually dispatched within a few days
The native Crab Apple brings charm and wildlife value to any garden. This small, deciduous tree offers year-round interest with its pretty pink-white spring blossoms, followed by small, yellowy-green fruits in autumn. The fruits, though tart, make wonderful jellies and preserves. In spring, the delicate flowers provide vital nectar for bees and other pollinators. The green leaves turn lovely autumn shades before falling.
Our native Malus sylvestris grows naturally throughout British woodlands. It makes a perfect choice for cottage gardens or wildlife areas. The tree stays quite compact, usually reaching 4-8 metres at maturity. This makes it suitable for most gardens.
The branches form a rounded, spreading crown that looks lovely in any setting. Birds absolutely love this tree, using it for nesting and feeding on the fruits. The spring flowers look stunning against a blue sky, while the autumn fruits add splashes of colour as the leaves turn.
It’s a hardy tree that connects your garden to our natural heritage. The Crab Apple has been growing wild in Britain since the last ice age. This makes it one of our true native species.
Plant your Crab Apple in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. The tree isn’t fussy about soil type but does best in slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Water regularly in the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. After that, it needs little maintenance beyond removing any crossed or damaged branches in late winter. The tree naturally fights off most diseases and suits our climate perfectly. A yearly mulch in spring will keep it happy and healthy.
Ultimate height
4-8 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Season of Interest
Spring, Autumn
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pot Size
Bare Root
Foliage
Deciduous
Foliage Colour
Green
Flower Colour
White
Hardiness
-20°C to -15°C (H6)
When MatureSafety
Pollen Allergies, Thorns
Watering
Moderate
Preferred Soil Type
Any well drained soil
Preferred Soil pH
Neutral
What Are Bare Root Trees?
Bare root trees are young trees sold without soil around their roots during their dormant season. This method of selling trees has been practised for centuries and offers numerous advantages for both gardeners and the environment. Typically available late Autumn to early Spring.
The Bare Root Advantage
Cost-Effective
Bare root trees are typically less expensive than their container-grown counterparts. Without the need for pots, soil, and extensive care during growth, these savings are passed on to you.
Easier to Plant
The absence of soil means bare root trees are lighter and easier to handle. This makes planting a breeze, especially when dealing with larger quantities or varieties.
Quicker Establishment
Counter-intuitively, bare root trees in some instances establish faster than container-grown trees. Their exposed root systems quickly adapt to native soil, developing a robust network that supports rapid growth.
Environmentally Friendly
Bare root trees are a green choice. They require less water during nursery care and transportation, reducing their carbon footprint. Plus, there’s no plastic pot waste!
When to Plant Bare Root Trees
The window for planting bare root trees is limited to their dormant season, typically from late autumn to early spring. This period allows the trees to establish themselves before the demands of new growth in spring.
Planting and Care Tips
- Soak roots in water for a few hours before planting
- Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the spread roots
- Plant at the same depth as the soil mark on the stem
- Backfill with native soil, firming gently
- Water well and mulch around the base
- Stake larger trees to provide support
Why Choose Bare Root Trees?
- Value for Money: Get more trees for your budget
- Wider Selection: Access to a broader range of species and varieties
- Better for Transplanting: Less shock to the tree during the planting process
- Ideal for Larger Projects: Perfect for hedgerows, orchards, or woodland creation
Environmental Impact
By choosing bare root trees, you’re making a positive impact on the environment. These trees are carbon positive, meaning they absorb more carbon dioxide than is produced in their cultivation and transportation. As they grow, they continue to sequester carbon, improve air quality, and provide habitats for wildlife.
Embrace the bare root revolution and watch your garden flourish with these dormant dynamos. Plant a legacy that will grow for generations to come!
Delivery
Yarrow Gardens aim to have your order with you in fastest time possible and safest method of transport. Dependent on the parcel size and geographical destination in mind with will select the most suitable courier.
You are welcome to collect any times from our nursery in Euxton, Lancashire. Please contact us to arrange a suitable date and time.
With regret, we can no longer send items out to Northern Ireland. All live plants need a phytosanitary checks and DAERA must be notified. This process is simply too expensive at the moment.
Returns
In the rare instance that your item has been damaged during delivery or incorrectly shipped by us, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss the return and replacement of your item.
Once you have contacted us and we have confirmation that your parcel is on its way back to us we will be happy to issue a refund for the return postage.
Delivery Class | Delivery Cost | |
---|---|---|
Royal Mail Letter - Royal Mail Tracked | £3.25 (Flat) | |
Royal Mail Letter - Royal Mail Second Class | £0.95 (Flat) | |
Royal Mail Large Letter - Royal Mail Tracked | £3.25 (Flat) | |
Royal Mail Large Letter - Royal Mail Second Class | £2.10 (Flat) | |
Standard Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) | £7.95 (Flat) | This item |
Standard Items - Standard Courier (Evri) | £4.49 (Flat) | This item |
Medium Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) | £7.95 (Flat) | |
Large Items - Pallet Courier | £90.00 (Flat) | |
Large Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) | £28.95 (Flat) | |
Large Items - Standard Courier (Parcel Force) | £24.95 (Flat) | |
Pallet Courier - Pallet Courier | £90.00 (Flat) |
We are a small family business based in Euxton, West Lancashire. We specialise in the supply of trees, shrubs both bare root & cell grown. Much of our stock is grown directly on site from seed or cuttings. Other stock is all UK sourced where possible.
We adhere to industry leading biosecurity measures, this ensures that our nursery remains clean and disease free.
We are DEFRA registered and our nursery is regularly inspected to confirm compliance with all current plant and plant health regulations.
Our Plant Passport Registration Number is GB140010
You can view our Plant Healthy report here.
We are actively working towards the Grown in Britain certification along with the Plant Healthy certification.
Should you have any concern or question in respect of our plant health matters, please get in touch.