Crab Apple 'Rudolph' (Mature Tree)Malus

Offering one of the best flowering performances of any crab apple, 'Rudolph' delights with a lavish spring display of large, deep pink to rose-red blossom, lighting up branches before the foliage even appears. Emerging foliage starts a striking copper-red, gradually shifting through bronze-green tones before yielding to glowing gold in autumn.

As summer fades, the small, glossy orange-red fruits appear, lasting well into winter and offering both visual charm and a food source for wildlife. Its upright young form matures into a more rounded canopy, making a superb point in gardens where compact presence and seasonal drama are prized. Disease-resistant and consistently vibrant, this mature crab apple creates an immediate focal point in your garden, bringing instant seasonal interest, colour and structure. Ultimate height and spread: 4m to 8m (13- 26.2ft).

Generally crab apples are too tart to eat raw, but their apple flavour becomes intense when cooked. Crab apples have high pectin content great for jam and jellies, and are a perfect ingredient for chutneys. The seeds and core are not edible and should be removed.

Mature Trees: 

Mature trees have an incredible ability to instantly enhance any outdoor area, making them a valuable addition to both new and established gardens. When planted in blank or new-build houses, these trees provide immediate visual interest and character, while also helping to redefine and focus the layout of existing landscapes. They serve practical purposes as well, such as blocking out unwanted views and providing privacy from neighbours. The choice of tree species can significantly influence the overall atmosphere of the garden, with each type contributing its unique charm. The benefits of these mature trees includes showcased beautifully textured bark and have developed impressive, majestic forms over the years. Flowering trees can offer stunning seasonal displays of blossoms, creating a breathtaking spectacle in spring, or providing a consistent and striking presence throughout the year. The impact of mature trees on a garden is profound, enriching the space with beauty and enhancing the overall experience of the outdoors.

What are Mature Trees: 

Mature trees are trees that have reached the next stage of development. These trees are often distinguished by their impressive height and expansive canopy. Their trunks are notably thick and robust, frequently displaying mature bark and added character. Additionally, mature trees possess a well-established root system and a complex branching structure, which enhance their stability and resilience against environmental challenges. Mature trees produce flowers, fruits, and seeds regularly and serve as important habitat, offering shelter and food for wildlife.

These trees are specified by girth size, to explain size and maturity of the tree being supplied. They are supplied up to 4 metres tall and are measured by girth (the circumference of the stem taken 1 metre up from the soil level).

A ‘feathered’ tree has a single dominant, straight trunk running through it, but has lateral branches from the ground up.

A ‘standard’ form tree has a single straight trunk clear of lower branches for at least the first 1.8m (6ft). If you desire your tree to be of ‘standard’ form once mature, it is crucial that you buy one which already has a clear 1.8 meter straight trunk.

Delivery of Mature Trees

Please note that due to the weight of this product this is a purple lorry item, delivery will take between 5 and 7 days and is charged at £24.99. There is a flat delivery charge for any number of mature trees, so if ordering several it does work out to be very economical.
Due to courier limitations, we are unable to deliver this product outside mainland UK, to Scottish Highlands, Isles or BFPO addresses.

Established trees require extra special care and knowledge to transport them. Our experienced team check them, carefully pack them. As living products, all our trees and plants receive individual care and attention by our expert nursery team. Ahead of despatch, our trees and plants are quality-checked, watered, carefully picked, prepared and packaged on-site.  We’ll never send out a tree that we’re not entirely happy with! 

When your tree has arrived, unpack it carefully and water well. We recommend planting as soon as you are able, as trees will eventually run out of nutrients if left in this state. If, however, you’re not able to plant right away, please make sure you keep it well watered in a sheltered space and safe from damage.

Planting Mature Trees

These mature trees are all large and old enough to make an impact but can still be handled manually (without equipment). We typically recommend two people to plant them as they are large and will need lifting into the planting hole while a second person fills in the hole. With large trees it is less easy to make adjustments to the position of the tree once it is in the hole, so we recommend measuring the depth of the hole and comparing it to the root mass first to check the tree will sit at the correct height once in the hole. 

Unless it is winter and the trees are dormant, give them a generous soaking of water once planted. Continue to do so as required, bearing in mind mature trees can soak up a large quantity of water.

Don't forget to order any specialist large tree planting essentials you require to ensure the trees establish successfully in their new site such as adding a staking kit and tree guard.