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Weeping Crab Apple Advice Please

YessicaHaircutYessicaHaircut Posts: 164
in Fruit & veg
We'd like a small, decorative tree with good wildlife value and I think we've decided on Malus Royal Beauty. I have a couple of questions I'd love some input on please.

Firstly, I am new to tree buying and have no idea which sites are most reliable or best avoided, so I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Secondly, could someone please explain the differences in form listed here?
https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/malus-royal-beauty-tree-p239#!
One is described as tree top grafted and the other as a single stem tree. Am I right in thinking the top grafted tree means the branches will always start at the specified height, even as the tree grows taller overall? Also, I don't really understand what is meant by single stem tree. Their site says: "Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape for the species." But I am struggling to picture the difference between the two, both in terms of how they'd look when received and how the form would develop - or would that be dependent on how we pruned it? 

Any light you can throw on this for a beginner gardener would be very much appreciated!
Sussex coast
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  • YessicaHaircutYessicaHaircut Posts: 164
    Just bumping this to see if anyone can offer any input.
    Sussex coast
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Sorry - I'm not sure either.

    I think the single stem version might always retain the potential to grow branches below the head of the tree which need to be snipped off if you want to retain the clear trunk. It looks as though the top grafted tree should always retain a clear trunk to the height specified. 

    I'd contact the company and ask them - the web site says their staff are happy to give advice.

    Looks like a beautiful tree BTW 🙂

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd say @Topbird is correct. When  a tree is grafted, the tree that's grafted on is basically growing from that other rootstock. Anything produced below that [usually if there's severe damage to the grafted on top part ] belongs to the rootstock.
    A tree with a single stem/trunk is on it's own roots, so it can carry on producing other stems/branches almost anywhere, but it has a 'leader', hence the single trunk.  :)

    Certainly looks like a lovely tree for a smaller garden  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • YessicaHaircutYessicaHaircut Posts: 164
    edited August 2021
    Thank you both, that makes sense. :) I think I'll follow your suggestion, @Topbird, and have a chat with the company and see if they can help me work out what would be best for us.
    Sussex coast
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I expect the one which is described as a single stem will also have the capability to keep growing...and growing.... ;)
    The grafted one will likely be on a dwarf rootstock to stop it becoming a huge monster  :)

    Hopefully, the company will be able to advise you though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    My fingers keep straying towards my purse - I could definitely find a space for this tree....

    @YessicaHaircut - will you let us know what the company say please? (for future reference). 
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    They give a run down here - Tree Forms Explained | Ornamental Trees Ltd (ornamental-trees.co.uk)

    According to them, the clear stem of the top grafted version will not get any taller. The stated mature size of 3x3m after 20 years must refer to the single stem version but do check and let us know.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • YessicaHaircutYessicaHaircut Posts: 164
    Thanks, everyone. I'm away for a few days but will get onto this when I'm back home and let you know what the company says.
    Sussex coast
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I would just add to make sure it is well watered for the first couple of years. People can get caught out in the spring - around the end of April if the rains stop and new trees suffer.
  • YessicaHaircutYessicaHaircut Posts: 164
    @Topbird, I thought I'd update after speaking to a woman at the company. I'm only slightly clearer after the conversation tbh. She explained that for the top grafted one, the stem of the root stock would not grow any taller and that only the top would grow. Whereas for the single stem one, the whole thing would grow. Which I do understand. But can't work out the significance for me in choosing. They apparently should both grow to a similar height and similar shape and require the same care and pruning, and when I asked how they would look different she just kept repeating that the root stock of the grafted one wouldn't grow, but the top would. But I still don't know why I should care if they both end up looking the same. :/ I think she was getting a bit exasperated with me. So the upshot is I'm leaning towards the top-grafted (though I don't really know why :D ), but before then I need to try to find a big enough container - she recommended 60cmx60cmx60cm initially - that doesn't break the bank.
    Sussex coast
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