Ripe for the picking

Have a crab apple tree, but not sure what to do with the fruit?

The crab apple tree is the UK’s only truly native apple tree. They are commonly found throughout the UK, and their fruit is ripe and ready from late summer into autumn (usually August to October). Crab apples can turn red when they’re ripe, or even be a yellowish-green or orange.

The birds in your garden will love tucking into the apples, and voles, mice and other small garden mammals will feast on any fallen fruit, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy them too. They’re quite bitter, so while they may not be suitable to eat as they are, they can make the most incredible, sunset-coloured jelly.

It literally glows and is delicious on bread or as an accompaniment to meat, particularly chicken. You can also add crab apples to other jams and jellies you’re making, as their high pectin content will ensure a good set.