Malus trilobata

RHS Plant Profile
Lebanese wild apple

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Lebanese wild apple RHS
Lebanese wild apple RHS / Joanna Kossak
Lebanese wild apple RHS / Joanna Kossak

Synonyms

Eriolobus trilobatus

Plants for pollinators
Trees
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A deciduous, conical to spreading tree up to 15m tall with downy young shoots. Maple-like leaves have 3 deep main lobes and each lobe may be further lobed and toothed; foliage emerges glossy green and turns bright red in autumn. Large, white flowers to 4cm across are borne in loose clusters and followed by greenish fruits that may be flushed red

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
Although generally edible when cooked, seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruitusually grown as an ornamental shrub. see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Malus are small to medium-sized deciduous trees with showy flowers in spring and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn; some have good autumn foliage colour
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E Mediterranean, N E Greece

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile soil in a sunny position; will tolerate partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in a seedbed in autumn, by chip budding in late summer or grafting in midwinter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, including woolly aphid and rosy apple aphid, fruit tree red spider mite, codling moth and other caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to apple canker, apple scab, blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, honey fungus and powdery mildews