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Winter Crab Apple
To celebrate the Year of the Tree I have been posting about my crab apple, following it changing through the seasons, November Post and October Post. Well, as it’s December I thought I’d post about my crab apple in winter.
The stormy weather of the last couple of weeks has removed the leaves but the tree is anything but bare. It is still covered in glorious red crab apples, which provide some welcome colour on dull, dreary December days. Some branches are so laden they are bent over under the weight of the fruit.
Some apples have fallen to the ground, making a carpet under the tree, others lie squished on the path. I noticed the other day whilst filling the bird feeder a strong smell of fermenting apples in the air.
Blackbirds and starlings are flocking to the tree now the weather is getting colder, perching in the branches and pecking at the crab apples. It’s good to know that whilst I can appreciate the beauty of the tree it is also providing a vital source of food for these birds.
Blackbird in my Crab Apple Tree last winter
Underneath the tree I have a Brunnera that is in flower, a sign of the strangely mild autumn. We’ve had two light frosts but these haven’t been enough to kill off the beautiful forget-me-not like flowers.
Bird splattered Brunnera flowering in December
If I look closely enough on the branches I can see next years flower buds and leaf buds protected from the harsh winter weather we may get by the bud scales. It’s a nice thought to know that these little buds will open into beautiful blossom and green leaves next spring and the cycle will start once more.
Crab apples are so wonderful for the wildlife aren’t they, really must try and find space for one here, had one at my last house and miss it and the crab apple jelly. Don’t worry, lots were left for the birds to enjoy !
There is a tree of exactly the same variety in our village, that too is still full of fruits and looking spectacular on these dreary days.
It looks wonderful still covered in fruit, and I bet the birds really appreciate such a reliable food source.
An enjoyable post about a tree that’s interesting all year and good for wildlife! xx
It’s amazing how long Crab Apples hold their fruit. They look lovely on a Christmas wreath.
I know that ‘The Year of the Tree’ is coming to a close but I hope that you continue to post about your crab apple. Would like to hear about it and see photos come spring. My brunnera is behaving but I have a forget -me- not in flower!
the actual colours of the apples,with the hues of orange in them, are really attractive. I prefer yours to the plain red ones that you often see.