Malus 'Mattom' syn. Malus 'Tom Matthews'
Crab Apple 'Tom Matthews'
One of the ancestors of the cultivated apple tree, the crab apple tree can be found growing wild in hedgerows. Some varieties have been cultivated for garden use, both for their flowers and for the fruit. Similar in cultivation to the domestic apple tree, it has many similarities, but the fruit are smaller and more irregular in shape. The tree is one of few hosts of the parasitic mistletoe. 'Tom Matthews' bears leaves that emerge red and mature to bronzy green, and in Spring scarlet red flowers that are followed by small, purple-red fruit.
Contributed by @KathyB
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Full sun to partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Rich and free draining
Common name
Crab Apple 'Tom Matthews'
Latin name
Malus 'Mattom' syn. Malus 'Tom Matthews'
type
Fruiting tree
family
Rosaceae
ph
5.0 - 6.8 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun to partial shade
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Frost
Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Soil
Rich and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
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When to harvest
full grown dimensions
2.00 M
3.00 M
Malus 'Mattom' syn. Malus 'Tom Matthews'
One of the ancestors of the cultivated apple tree, the crab apple tree can be found growing wild in hedgerows. Some varieties have been cultivated for garden use, both for their flowers and for the fruit. Similar in cultivation to the domestic apple tree, it has many similarities, but the fruit are smaller and more irregular in shape. The tree is one of few hosts of the parasitic mistletoe. 'Tom Matthews' bears leaves that emerge red and mature to bronzy green, and in Spring scarlet red flowers that are followed by small, purple-red fruit.
Planting outdoors
From Mid Autumn TO Early Spring
When planting remove the weeds from surrounding areas and make sure the hole you dig is at least twice the size of the roots. It is advised not to add fertiliser at this time due to the possibility of damaging the tree, however well rotted compost or manure should be forked into the bottom, the tree placed in the hole and back filled, firmed then watered in thoroughly. Keep well-watered until the tree is well established.
Apple Tree Blooms
From Mid Spring TO Late Spring
Once the weather has warmed up the tree will produce the first green leaves which will then prompt the first blossom. This is a very vulnerable stage - if a frost occurs the blossom is usually killed, and then there will be no fruit. .
KathyB