Guardsman

As the name suggests Guardsman is a distinctly upright crab-apple. The best effect is achieved with several planted in a row, or with a single tree planted as a focal point in the garden.

This species of crab-apple flowers very late, usually late May or June in the UK. The flowers are white and relatively large, mildly scented, and the petals have a slightly feathered appearance.

With most crab-apples the autumn interest is the brightly coloured fruitlets, but with Malus trilobata it is the maple-like lobed leaves, which take on autumnal red and orange tints.

The fruitlets are very small and green, and can be used for culinary purposes, but this is a tree which would be grown primarily for its ornamental value.

Guardsman crab-apple trees for sale

• 11-year bare-root tree £44.00
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season
• 22-year pot-grown tree £65.50
  In a 7L pot
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season
• 32-year pot-grown tree £72.00
  In a 12L pot
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season

How to grow

Malus trilobata is a cold-hardy species, and suitable for most areas of the UK.

History

With its maple-like leaves, the crab-apple species Malus trilobata is has a distinctly different character from most crab-apples grown in the UK. It originates from the near East, and is named after the characteristic 3-lobed shape of its leaves. It is sometimes called the Lebanese crab-apple, 

Guardsman characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Attractive featuresAttractive tree / plantAutumn foliage colourScented flowers
• Growth habitUpright
• Height after 10 years2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
• PruningDo not prune
• Growth rateSlow
• Flower colourWhite
• Flower formSingle flower (5-8 petals)
• Flowering monthJune
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnYellow / CrimsonOrange / Red
• Fruit colourGreen
• Fruit sizeSmall
• Annual cycleDeciduous

How to choose a crab-apple tree

We list more than 40 different crab-apple trees. Choosing can be difficult! See our article explaining the different characteristics of crab-apple trees which will help you narrow down the selection.