Apple, Crab
The Crab Apple Tree, one of the ancestors of the cultivated apple, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 12 m, and may live for 100 years.
They have an irregular rounded shape and a wide spreading canopy. With greyish brown flecked bark, trees can become quite gnarled and twisted, especially when exposed, and the twigs often develop spines.
This ‘crabbed’ appearance may have influenced its common name, ‘crab apple’. points following a single enter.
Photo supplied by: Alan Payne
Common Name:
Crab Apple
Scentific Name:
Malus sylvestris
Tree No.:
55a
Location:
…
The brown and pointed leaf buds form on short stalks and have downy hair on their tips. These are followed by glossy, oval leaves which grow to a length of 6cm and have rounded teeth.
Credit: This could be your image
In spring, the sweetly scented blossom is pollinated by bees and other insects. The blossom develops into small, yellow-green apple-like fruits around 2–3cm across.
Credit: This could be your image
Sometimes the fruits are flushed with red or white spots when ripe. Birds and mammals eat the apples and disperse the seeds.
Credit: This could be your image
The crab apple is native to the UK, and is found primarily in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, it thrives best in heavy, moist, well-drained soil and areas of scrub.
The leaves are food for the caterpillars of many moths. The flowers provide an important source of pollen and nectar for insects, particularly bees. The fruit is eaten by birds, such as blackbirds, thrushes and crows, and small mammals, such as rodents, foxes and badgers.
The trees are often planted in orchards as their long flowering period makes them excellent pollination partners for cultivated apples. The fruit can be used to make crab apple jelly and as a natural source of pectin for setting jams.
The wood was made into tool handles, woodenware, and fuel. The wood is ideal for woodcarvers. The bark was made into a yellow dye.
Optional Content.
Tree Listings
Holme Oak
Oak, Holme The Holm Oak, is a broadleaf evergreen tree, that can grow to a height of over 20m, and may live for 400 years. The crown is broad, domed, with ascending branches and often with low stems. The bark is black and finely cracked, and the twigs are slender and...
English Oak
Oak, English The English Oak, the majesty of the woods, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 40m, and may live for 1,000 years. This species grows and matures to form a broad and spreading crown with sturdy branches beneath. Photo...
English Oak
Oak, English The English Oak, the majesty of the woods, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 40m, and may live for 1,000 years. This species grows and matures to form a broad and spreading crown with sturdy branches beneath. This tree was...
Red Maple
Maple, Red The Red Maple, is a striking broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 20m, and may live for 200 years, although 80 to 100 years may be more typical. This tree was planted in memory of Mr Hungerford Rowley, a long and respected resident of...
Red Maple
Maple, Red The Red Maple, is a striking broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 20m, and may live for 200 years, although 80 to 100 years may be more typical. Photo supplied by: Alan PayneCommon Name:Red Maple Scentific Name:Acer rubrum Tree...
Norway Maple
Maple, Norway The Norway Maple, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 25m, and may live for 150 years. The bark is grey with fine ridges, and the twigs are slender and brown with tiny white spots. Photo supplied by: Alan PayneCommon...
Norway Maple
Maple, Norway The Norway Maple, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 25m, and may live for 150 years. The bark is grey with fine ridges, and the twigs are slender and brown with tiny white spots. Photo Supplied By: Alan PayneCommon...
Field Maple
Maple, Field The Field Maple, is a sturdy broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 20m, and may live for 350 years. The bark is light brown and flaky, and twigs are slender and brown and develop a corky bark with age. Small, grey leaf buds grow on long...
Common Lime
Lime, Common The Common Lime, a hybrid between small-leaved and large-leaved lime, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 40m, and may live for 400 years. The bark is pale grey-brown and irregularly ridged, with characteristic large burrs and...
Horse Chestnut
Horse Chestnut The Horse Chestnut, with its shiny mahogany conkers, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 40m, and may live for 300 years. The bark is smooth and pink-grey when young, which darkens and develops scaly plates with age. Twigs are...
English Elm
Elm, English The English Elm, is a deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 30m, and may live more than 100 years. The bark is grey-brown, rough and fissured, often with suckers growing from the base of the trunk. The twigs are finely hairy. Photo supplied...
Lawson Cypress
Cypress, Lawson The Lawson Cypress, is an evergreen conifer, that can grow to a height of 45m high, and may live more than 500 years. A tall, narrowly conical tree, with feathery foliage. The bark is cracked into vertical plates, and the twigs are a dark...
Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens,
43 Bocking End,
Braintree,
CM7 9AE.
Open 9:00 to 4:00pm – January, February.
Open 9:00 to 6:00pm – March.
Open 9:00 to 7:00pm – April.
Open 9:00 to 8:00pm – May, June, July, August.
Open 9:00 to 7:00pm – September.
Open 9:00 to 6:00pm – October.
Open 9:00 to 4:00pm – November December.
Note – The gates are locked at dusk.
Dusk is subject to seasonal variation, so closing times may not be exactly to the schedule, at the transitions.
No dogs allowed in the gardens.
No alcohol to be consumed in the gardens.
No riding of cycles or scooters in the gardens.
General Enquiries
Phone: 01376 773066
Email: info@braintreeandbockinggardens.co.uk
Tennis Enquiries
Phone: 01376 773070
Email: tennis@braintreeandbockinggardens.co.uk
© Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens Trust 2017-2021. All Rights Reserved.
Registered Charity Number 212989
Get in touch
Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens
We provide, maintain and preserve these unique and beautiful gardens as a community green space.
