Crab Apple - Malus sylvestris
known in Ireland as Cran fia-uill

Familiar small thorny deciduous hedgerow tree or bush growing to 10m (32ft) and found in most of the British Isles except Northern Scotland. Common in Oak woods and hedges. Young branches can be hairy or woolly, leaves oval and pointed having finely serrated edges. Flowers of 5 pink-white petals appear May to June ripening to small green fruit in late summer, that are extremely sour but make good jelly by themselves or with blackberries or rowan berries. Crab Apple wine is reported to be potent.

Hard close grained wood used for woodcarving, inlays, mallets and screws. Good firewood with pleasant aroma. Orchard Apples are derived from Malus sylvestris and other species. Cultivated varieties M. x domestica do not have spiny branches but do have hairy leaves on the underside. They may have been an ancient hybrid form.

Crab Apple fruit

Crab Apple branch with flowers

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