I wrote a post last year, after a visit to Westonbirt Arboretum, about my love of trees and the fact that I was known to occasionally hug a tree, a lovely experience which I can definitely recommend. I then received a post from Flighty at Flight Plot pointing me in the direction of a blog celebrating 2011’s Tree Year. The blog asked people to choose a tree they saw on a regular basis and follow how it changed through the seasons, posting about it. I thought it was such a great idea that I chose the crab apple at the end of my garden, my only disappointment was that I had come to the idea so late in the year.
A couple of people suggested I continue posting into 2012 about my tree and reading Laura’s post over at the Patiopatch about the Wych Elms she is following, I thought it was about time I devoted a post to my beautiful tree.
My Crab Apple Tree
For me, my crab apple is at it’s most stunning right now. Like a huge candy floss it stands in the left hand corner of my back garden covered in blossom. Although once open the flowers are white, the buds are rose pink and I think one of my most favourite things in nature. For weeks now I have been anticipating the show of blossom. There was the morning when I was stood at the kitchen sink and squinting could see the first signs of the pink buds emerging, finally culminating in the first white flowers opening with perfect timing for the Easter weekend. These white flowers hold a secret, they smell. I never really thought of blossom as having a scent. It was only really the first spring living in this house that I came across this delightful surprise. OK it’s not a powerful, heady scent like sweet peas, or stocks but it is for me the most perfect of spring scents, smelling like freshly washed clothes that have been blowing on the washing line. Ones that haven’t been drowned in the overpowering fragrances used by detergent companies that is. My crab apple certainly doesn’t smell of Japanese Fragrant Lily or Himalayan Lemongrass Orchid or any other bizarre sounding clothes wash.
A bee seeking out nectar
The tree is proving popular with the insect visitors to the garden, too. Stand next to the tree at the moment and there is a hum, a buzz, a noise of busily foraging bees lapping up the nectar and groaning under the weight of laden pollen sacs. I always get a sense of satisfaction to know that even my small garden can play an important part in the environment.
The crab apple is quite a hardy customer. It might look all delicate and frothy at the moment but it has had to put up quite a bit over the last week with plunging temperatures, freaky hail storms, torrential rain and howling winds. I went to bed last night thinking the predicted heavy rain and gales would strip the tree of it’s flowers but no, there is a little bit of white confetti appearing on the path but the tree looks great still.
Tightly packed pink blossom buds
The birds which have used the tree all winter, whether feeding on the crab apples or grubs and insects hidden in the branches or visiting the feeders we have put there, are still using the tree. Blackbirds, in particular, use the tree as a perch before flying down to the nearby bird bath.
It’s time for me to savour the tree and it’s blossom as much as possible. Another couple of weeks and the blossom will have faded with bright apple green leaves unfurling and taking over.
This crab apple was already here when we moved into the house, we’re not sure what variety it is, possibly ‘Evereste’ because it holds onto it’s apples for such a long period and although we have completely changed the rest of the garden it is such an important feature. If I could recommend one tree for even the smallest of gardens it would be a crab apple. They provide such interest through the year.
Your Crab Apple tree is beautiful in all seasons and so useful to the wildlife in your area, no wonder it is your favourite.I think mine is the Amelanchier which I planted soon after moving here. As well as the pretty blossom for the bees and the colour of the new leaves in spring, it also has wonderful autumn tints and black berries for the birds, like your tree, beautiful at all times of the year.
Hi Pauline, I love Amelanchiers too. The flowers are so delicate and like the crab it has interest throughout the year. No space for one at the moment but Amelanchier is definitely on my wish list.
Your crab apple is lovely, I think mine is ‘Everest’ too, the apples are actually still there, the birds never touch them! I didn’t have the patience to prune off te fruit as you did. Most of the flowers have now faded and the bright gree foliage is breaking open. Enjoy your tree, it is beautiful. Christina
Thanks for the mention! Lucy over at Loose and Leafy has taken over with Tree Followers from where The Tree Year finished as you can see here –
http://looseandleafy.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-is-tree-following-and-list-of-tree.html
where she’ll gladly add you to the list!
Having read this post I think that If I had a garden a crab apple would have to be on my list of must haves. xx
What a beautiful tree! Unfortunately we lost all but one of our old trees last year, however we will be replacing in the autumn. After reading your post I think that one of the trees that we plant may have to be a crab apple :-)
You would think the blossom was going to be pink looking at those buds, but it emerges a gorgeous frothy white. Such a good idea to follow the tree through it’s year.
No crab apples at the Priory, WW. Added to the list. (I hug trees too. Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone). D
Beautiful tree and photos of it! I love Westonbirt Arboretum, when we lived in Bristol we visited quite a lot.
Pleased to read that you will be continuing to update us on the seasonal progress of such a splendid tree WW. I hope to plant a crab apple later this year. ‘Red Sentinel’ is the leading contender at the moment but I must research ‘Evereste’ before making my choice.
A beneficial wildlife tree and crabapples too to make lovely crabapple jelly.
Gorgeous tree! We have a number of apple trees in the garden but my favourite is an oldish variety just outside our back door with the most fabulous contorted and gnarled trunk and big chunky apples good for eating and cooking (no idea what actual variety it is). Unfortunately it is fungus-ridden and will pop its clogs eventually. Maybe I need a crab to replace it with when the time comes.