Autumn 2021We are selling out of many of the trees already this season. Please order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Pippin Trees banner logoChoose from over 280 flowering cherries, crab apples, rowans and other ornamental trees.

Malus transitoria

Malus transitoria fruitlets
Malus transitoria has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit

Malus transitoria is also know as the Cut-leaf Crab, on account of its lobed leaves. It grows with an attractive spreading form.

It features a mass of tiny white star-like flowers in spring, followed by dense clusters of small yellow fruitlets in the autumn.

The autumn leaf colours are particularly pronounced in this species.

Malus transitoria crab-apple trees for sale

  • 11-year bare-root tree £27.95
    Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Alert me
  • 22-year pot-grown tree £47.50
    In a 12L pot
    Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Alert me

History

Malus transitoria is a native of north western China. Like many Asian crab-apples it was first brought to the west in the early 20th century by collectors from the Arnold Arboretum of Massachusetts, USA.

Malus transitoria characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current) 1993
  • Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive fruitAutumn foliage colour
  • Growth habitSpreading / Flat-topped
  • Height after 10 years2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
  • WildlifeAttractive to birds
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Flower formSingle flower (5-8 petals)
  • Leaf colourGreen
  • Leaf colour - autumnOrange / Gold
  • Fruit colourYellow
  • Fruit sizeSmall
  • Fruit persistenceRipens over a period
  • Country of originChina
  • Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

  • Malus transitoria
    Thornhayes Tansy
    A form of Malus transitoria with a more accentuated leaf shape.

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years. We may also have 1-year bare-root trees of this variety - they are not shown here.

Malus transitoria crab apple tree

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.