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Royal Medlar Tree Options
150-180cm: Bush form, 9-12L pot 2-3 years old
180-240cm: Half Standard, 12-15L pot, 2-4 years old
Girth 5-6cm: Half Standard 18-25L pot, Usually 60-100cm clear stem. 12-18 months older than the previous option.
Girth 6-8cm: Half Standard 18-25L pot, Usually 60-100cm clear stem. 12-18 months older than the previous option.
Girth 8-10cm: Half Standard 18-25L pot, Usually 60-100cm clear stem. 12-18 months older than the previous option.
Royal Medlar (Mespilus germanica 'Royal') is smaller in size than the Nottingham Medlar. This Medlar variety has better flavour and is one of the few to be taken slightly seriously for fresh eating.
Type of Medlar: Eating/Cooking
Time of Picking: October
Self-Fertile/Not Self-Fertile: Royal Medlars are self-fertile so there is no need for another Medlar to aid pollination
We will include a message card included at no additional cost if required.
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at POLLINATION EXPLAINED or choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.
Medlar Jargon
Half Standard: Usually a tree that is a lollipop shape. Around 50-100cm of clear stem and a rounded head on top.
Quince A: The roots have been grafted on to give better results. Usually limits maximum height to around 350cm.
General Medlar information
The fruit can be eaten when firm (very tart) or bletted. This consists of storing the Medlar fruits surrounded by saw dust in stone jars until soft and should store for weeks to months at a time. The bletting process takes several weeks. The fruits go through a sort of fermentation process and once they are soft and brownish in colour, the contents can be sucked out leaving the skin and stone behind. The taste is very unique and has been compared to coarse apple sauce with a lot of cinnamon. Some suggest leaving the fruits to be touched by frost before picking others say to definitely pick before so no help there then. Pick the Medlar fruits when they are around 2.5 to 5 cm across when it is dry and the fruits part easily from the tree. Alternatively you can dip in a strong salt solution, store on trays with the eye facing down in a cool frost free place and wait for the same process to occur. Expect a harvest of 13 to 18 kg.
They go well with wine, port or cheese or made into a jelly which is quite easy due to their high pectin content. Also high in vitamin C.
Apparently they are good for indigestion because the pectins, sugars, tannings and gums in Medlar trees quieten the symptoms.
As the wood is quite slow growing and pretty tough, it was used for making windmill parts, spears, clubs and many other used.
The bark will become smooth and shiny over a period of time and so adding to the tidy appearance of the tree. The branches grow in a sculptured and random fashion giving it a very interesting shape. To make the most of a Medlar, make sure you provide it with a planting position in full sun and a good, freely drained soil.
From an ornamental point of view, Medlars have an exotic appearance and will have a final height of around 3.5 metres. This is dependant upon local conditions such as soil fertility, sun, extremely low flying helicopters etc.
Planting in deep fertile and well drained soil will get best results however performance will be diminished on chalky soil so planting near a blackboard graveyard is probably not a good idea. A warm sheltered site (leaves and flowers do not like strong winds) is preferable with full sun but they will be ok in partial shade. If planting more than one, allow at least 4 metres between them and stake for the first 3-4 years or until well established. Medlars can be long lived, reaching 100's of years in some instances.
