Malus sieversii (Shakar Crabapple)

Malus sieversii 

Family: Rosaceae

Common names: Shakar Crabapple

It is a deciduous tree with a broad crown; it usually grows 2 – 10 metres tall, occasionally reaching 14 metres. Branches are annually unarmed, but occasionally are spiny. The plant can produce numerous suckers. A very important tree, it is the main parent of the cultivated apples. It is commonly harvested from the wild for its fruit and is also cultivated.  The fruits, mostly between 3 and 5 cm across are highly variable in shape, colour, taste and ripening time. Such ones with acceptable taste can be selected simply from the native populations, They are eaten fresh or processed to juice, wine, compote and jam or they are dried. The yellowish-green, red-tinged, globose fruit is usually between 30 – 45mm in diameter, though it can be up to 70mm.

Sowing instructions:  It usually germinates in late winter. Stored seed requires stratification for 3 months at 1°c and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is received. It might not germinate for 12 months or more.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: January 2025