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

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

Sorry we have not produced any trees of this variety 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.