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Malus sylvestris

European Wild Apple

Common names: Wood Apple, Wild Apple

European Wild Apple

Photo: Kk · CC0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The European Wild Apple (Malus sylvestris) is the wild progenitor of cultivated apples and a valuable tree for naturalistic gardens. Its small, tart fruits are almost inedible raw but become a flavorful jelly when cooked, and they provide winter food for birds. As a hardy wild tree, it is extremely frost‑tolerant and serves as a good pollinator for other apple varieties.

Care instructions

Plant the tree in a sunny to partially shaded spot on almost any garden soil; it is low‑maintenance. Best established in autumn (around week 45 of November). Water regularly only during the first year. Pruning is rarely needed, allow its natural, somewhat sparse crown to develop. Harvest the fruit from September onward for jelly.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–7.58.0

Soil type

loamy, well-drained, humus-rich, lime-loving, nutrient-rich

LightFull sun
HardinessHardy
Water needLow

Feeding

Medium feeder

Pruning

MonthsFeb–Mar
SeasonLate winter
Pruning typeThinning cut

Companion planting

Good neighbors

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

You can plant garlic and chives under strawberries and roses; their scent repels aphids and other pests.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed Culture Practice

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

Diseases & pests

2 relevant

From the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species. How to spot and prevent them is covered in full in the lexicon.

DiseasemediumApr–Sep
Apple powdery mildew

Podosphaera leucotricha

Apple powdery mildew is caused by the fungus Podosphaera leucotricha and appears as a white, powdery coating on young leaves, shoot tips, and flowers.

More on Apple powdery mildew
DiseasehighJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
European canker

Neonectria ditissima

European canker is caused by the fungus Neonectria ditissima and attacks above all pome fruit such as apple, pear and quince.

More on European canker

Notes from real gardens

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