Malus sylvestris

Crab Apple

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
7m 1
10m 56
10m, exceptionally 17m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular crown 1
Tall and slender in woodland, spreading in hedgerow 3
4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (63 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Low 4 to moderate 19

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Potentially 150+ years 2

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Orchard or hedge tree

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Establishes easily 2

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Winter (mid) 1

Malus sylvestris, Botanical Garden in Kaisaniemi Helsinki/ Daderot/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Fruits are largely inedible but good source of pectin for jams 2

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Excellent quality wood, but difficult to grow straight stems 2
Max YC 4 8

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: 3-4 years 9

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Moderate – deep roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
High 5
Highest value for foliage invertebrates, leaf litter, pollen & nectar, fruits 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Apr-May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Suckering 4

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate to high
May be susceptible to apple scab, honey fungus, apple canker, fireblight, blossom wilt and Powdery mildews 23

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, fruit tree red spider mite and caterpillars 2

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate
Susceptible to deer browsing 5
Moderate sensitivity to browsing 7