Pleached Crab Apple

Crab Apple – Malus Toringo ‘Scarlett’

If you are looking for a small deciduous ornamental tree with pink blossom and red foliage and fruit, the Malus Toringo ‘Scarlett’ should be a serious contender. The ‘Scarlett’ has received the coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is widely regarded as the most popular bronzed leaved Crab Apple on the market.

With an upright form and arching branches it achieves mature heights of approximately 3-6 meters. It is an ideal choice for those looking for a tree capable of producing interest through all seasons. The foliage emerges purple in colour and slowly matures to glossy green and as autumn approaches it changes again to produce hints of red and yellow. The rich red leaves contrast beautifully with the fragrant, rich pink blossom in the spring. Common to Malus the long-lasting blossom adorns most of the branches producing a stunning floral display. Like most crab apples the ‘Scarlett’ is popular with bees so a good pollinator for eating and cooking apple trees in the area. Small clusters of purple fruit follow the blossom adding further interest. While it is one of the last Crab Apples to lose its leaves (well into November) the fruit holds on for even longer into the winter months creating that all familiar decorative crab apple display.

Happy in most soil types the ‘Scarlett’ prefers soils to be nutritious, moist and well drained. Preferring sites with full sun it also tolerates partial shade. Winter and frost hardy, it will happily grow in open spaces, but dislikes exposed windy sites and sea wind. It is popular with garden designers and landscape architects due to its ability to tolerates paving and hard landscaping. Disease resistant and pollution tolerant, this small ornamental tree is ideal for large and small gardens, tree containers, roof gardens, parks, squares and commercial settings.

An extremely versatile plant the Malus Toringo ‘Scarlett’ enjoys being managed in various forms, including multistem trees, standard trees and low pleached crab apple trees.

Planting advice for Pleached trees, Freshly Pleached trees, Espalier trees and Freshly Espaliered trees.

An important consideration when planting pleached or espalier trees in a straight line is the slope of the ground. Pleached or Espalier trees look their best when they are planted on flat or gently sloping ground. Doing so will line up the frames and stems and creating effect of one continuous line when viewed at all angles. Even on a gradual slope this effect can be achieved. However, with a slope of more than 10-12 degrees, it may be necessary to step the trees/frames when planting (the frames on freshly pleached trees can be manipulated to account for a sharper slope of perhaps 15 degree if necessary).

To create a good visual effect, it is important to line up the stems and frames (unless you are planting them in a circle or semi-circle). To start off the planting holes should measure roughly double the width of the rootball or pot….

Read our full planting guide here

How are Pleached Trees made?

Pleached trees or screen trees start life as a seedling or cutting, much like any other tree, being repotted or replanted a number of times in their formative years. They grow happily on the nursery with hundreds or even thousands of other trees. When the time is right, highly skilled nurserymen and woman go out into the field amongst the trees with tags in hand and pick the very best trees for pleaching. The criteria for choosing the best trees for training includes, selecting those with the straightest stems, healthy root stock and appropriately spreading and uninform crowns. Once tagged and lifted the trees are loaded onto trailers and sent to potting sheds for training. Read our full guide to pleaching trees here

Delivery varies depending on:

• How many trees you require
• If you want us to plant them
• Accessibility of the site
• If any need sourcing
• The seasonal ability to lift or plant specific species

  Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.