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Above and centre: crab apples in Inner Temple Gardens.
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Trees of London The Inns of Court
Crab Apple
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The crab apple is the definitive apple tree, the mother of them all. It is the wild tree from which all breeds of commercial, tasty, sharp, refreshing apples are derived. However, at first glance of the fruit in the summer, they could easily be mistaken for cherries. It takes, though, just one bite, they are edible though a bit bitter, to show that they have apple flesh, texture and seeds. Other factors which distinguish the tree are its flaky bark, and smaller, rougher leaves.
The crab apple presents a rustic scene.
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Other Trees at the Inner Temple
Inner Temple Index
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Tree Identification |
Malus sylvestris: |
Leaf: alternate; veins: alternate; oval/round, pointed; a bit rough. |  |
| nuts/fruit:
very small red apples; look more like cherries; bite into them to reveal apple structure; a bit bitter, but edible. |
 | Flowers: conspicuous white/pink, but not as striking as with other fruit trees. |
| bark: rough, scaly. |
shape:
| grows to 10 metres; rounded crown. |
general: very common in suburbs, and in gardens but rare in central London. The definitive apple tree and a native tree. |
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Location
There are two beside the north pathway in Inner Temple Gardens yellow: two crab apple trees. |
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Trees of London A James Wilkinson Publication ©
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