Evereste crab apple

Sun

Full sun gives the best blossom and fruit; tolerates light partial shade.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Once rooted, water deeply during prolonged dry spells, especially on sandy soil.

Soil

Moderately fertile, well-drained soil that retains some moisture; tolerates clay if it does not remain waterlogged, and acid to moderately alkaline conditions.

Height

15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m), depending on rootstock and conditions

Spread

15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m)

Flowers

Mid- to late spring; pink buds open to white flowers.

Foliage

Green, oval leaves turn yellow to orange in autumn before falling.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Cold hardy
• Disease resistant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.2 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.4 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.6 m)

5. After 5 years

   10 ft (3 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root flare at soil level and any graft union above the soil.
• Water deeply during dry weather for the first two growing seasons; check moisture beneath the surface before watering.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Feed in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Stake only if the root ball moves in the wind, use a flexible tie, and remove the support once roots hold the tree securely.
• Keep lawn grass away from the trunk and protect the bark from mowers and string trimmers.

Pruning. Prune lightly in late winter while dormant, removing dead, damaged and crossing branches without spoiling the natural crown. Remove rootstock suckers promptly; where fire blight is present, follow local guidance on pruning timing and tool hygiene.

Autumn

Plant while the soil is workable and moist; in very cold regions, spring planting is often safer.

Late winter

Inspect the crown and make any necessary light structural cuts.

Early spring

Refresh mulch, check staking ties and feed only if needed.

Spring

Enjoy the blossom and avoid insecticide sprays while bees are visiting.

Summer

Water young trees during dry spells and check shoots for aphids or sudden dieback.

Late autumn

Clear diseased fallen leaves and remove shrivelled fruit; leave healthy fruit for birds if it is not causing a slip hazard.

• Use as a lawn specimen where its rounded crown and seasonal changes can be seen from the house.
• Underplant with snowdrops, daffodils and hardy geraniums for successive flowers beneath the canopy.
• Place near a patio or garden entrance, allowing room for the mature crown and some fallen fruit.
• Include in a mixed orchard as an ornamental tree and a pollen source for apples with overlapping flowering times.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Cottage garden, Wildlife garden, Backyard orchard, Autumn colour and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Snowdrops, Daffodils, Hardy geraniums, Lady's mantle, Hellebores and Catmint.

Wildlife: Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Birds eat the small fruits, often later in autumn or winter, and the branches provide shelter.

• Apple scab: resistance is good but not absolute; collect infected leaves and maintain an open, well-spaced crown.
• Fire blight: blackened shoots may look scorched; seek local advice and remove affected wood in suitable dry weather, disinfecting tools between cuts.
• Aphids: colonies can curl young leaves; encourage predators and wash small colonies off accessible shoots with water.
• Poor establishment or root decline: waterlogging, deep planting and drought are common causes; check drainage, expose a buried root flare and adjust watering.

The fruit flesh is edible to people and can be cooked into jelly, though it is tart. Seeds, leaves and stems contain cyanogenic compounds and can poison cats, dogs, horses and people if enough is chewed and swallowed; wilted leaves are a particular concern around livestock. Serious poisoning is possible, so do not allow pets or horses to browse the tree or eat fallen fruit in quantity.

• Golden Hornet crab apple (Malus 'Golden Hornet')

  Also has white spring blossom, but its mature fruits are distinctly yellow rather than orange-red.

• Red Sentinel crab apple (Malus 'Red Sentinel')

  Its mature fruits are glossy cherry-red, rather than the orange-red fruits, often with a yellow background, of 'Evereste'.

Malus is the Latin name for the apple tree.

Propagation. Usually propagated by budding or grafting onto an apple rootstock. Seedlings do not reliably retain the characteristics of 'Evereste'; rootstock also influences mature size.

Accepted botanical name

Malus

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.