Malus sylvestris
European Wild Apple
Common names: Wood Apple, Wild Apple
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The European Wild Apple (Malus sylvestris) is the wild progenitor of cultivated apples and a valuable tree for naturalistic gardens. Its small, tart fruits are almost inedible raw but become a flavorful jelly when cooked, and they provide winter food for birds. As a hardy wild tree, it is extremely frost‑tolerant and serves as a good pollinator for other apple varieties.
Care instructions
Plant the tree in a sunny to partially shaded spot on almost any garden soil; it is low‑maintenance. Best established in autumn (around week 45 of November). Water regularly only during the first year. Pruning is rarely needed, allow its natural, somewhat sparse crown to develop. Harvest the fruit from September onward for jelly.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
loamy, well-drained, humus-rich, lime-loving, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar–Apr
Pruning
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Cuttings
- Grafting
- Layering
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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