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Malus 'John Downie' Tree

Name: Malus 'John Downie' Tree
Brand: Ornamental Trees
SKU: MJD.SS.10.1
Price: 70.0 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

Classic Culinary Crab Apple

From £67.50

From £67.50 ~~£75~~

Save 15% on All Trees! Ends 31 Oct 🍂 Use code GROW15

Final size 5 x 3 metres in 20 years

Foliage Green leaves turn yellow in autumn (deciduous)

Flowers White blossom in spring

Fruit Ornamental or culinary crab apples

Position Full sun to part shade

Soil Moist but well-draining

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Product Details

Planting & Care

Delivery Information

Description

This tree is one of the very best Malus varieties for crab apple jelly due to the size, flavour and pectin level of its fruit. Malus 'John Downie' produces a mass of large, plum-like, red and yellow flushed apples that mature early but last well into the winter. Earlier in the year, a blanket of white flowers open from pink buds which are very popular amongst bees, making it a useful pollinator for apple trees. Foliage is mid-green with good autumn colour in fiery shades of yellow, bronze and orange.

This fruiting Malus tree has an upright habit when young and arches in maturity, reaching an estimated height and spread of 5 x 3 metres in 20 years. Also known as a Flowering Crab Apple tree, 'John Downie' is suited to most conditions but thrives in moist, well-drained soil. A really beautiful tree that is deservedly popular.

This variety has large crab apples ideal for culinary use, so is sold with zero VAT.

AKA Crab Apple John Downie, Flowering Crab Apple, Fruiting Crab Apple tree

Planting Steps

1Preparation

Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.

2Planting

Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
Ensure the top of the plant's compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.

3Last Steps

Water generously around the base of the plant.
If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.

Aftercare Advice

Crab Apple trees require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.

You can harvest culinary Crab Apples in early autumn or leave them for birds to enjoy. The trees should be pruned in winter but do not require hard pruning. Avoid trimming the tips of branches. Simply remove any dead or damaged branches and shoots at the base of the tree i.e. suckers and water sprouts.

For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.

MAINLAND UK — excluding remote locations
Small trees & shrubs*: £12 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £35 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £65 for 1 or more

REMOTE UK LOCATIONS — including Scottish Highlands & Islands
Small trees & shrubs*: £35 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £65 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £120 for 1 or more

*Small trees & shrubs are typically supplied in pots up to 15 litres.
Additional remote-location surcharges may apply.
Unfortunately, we are not able to make delivery of live plants to Northern Ireland or any countries outside of the UK.

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