Following the medlar

Back in 2006 we planted a medlar tree in our garden.  Although this is still a baby in tree terms, it is this tree that I have chosen to follow this year.

To give it the correct Latin name Mespilus germanica, is an ancient tree that may date back 3000 years. It’s origins have been traced back to Iran where there are records of it growing in 2 BC. It was also cultivated by the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

The fruits are referred to in several of Shakespeare’s plays and the writings of Chaucer. It was popular in Victorian times.

Nowadays the tree is less common. It can be found growing wild in south west Asia and south eastern Europe in particular around the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and Turkey.

It is also found in Southern Europe and the south east of England where it has been planted in woodland areas. It isn’t commonly seen in gardens although we saw a couple of specimens when we visited the National Trust property of Belton House gardens in the Midlands.

Medlars have a lifespan of 30 -50 years and grown on their own rootstock can achieve a height of 8 metres.

Our tree - a variety called Nottingham - is grafted onto a quince rootstock so could ultimately reach 4 metres if we let it. It is more likely that we will prune it to restrict its size,

Medlars and quince belong to the rose family as does the hawthorn (crataegus) with which it has crossed to produce xCrataemespilus grandiflora which was first found about 1800 growing wild in France.

Now to introduce our medlar which is about 10 years old.

It is just under 2 metres (6') tall and at the moment looks rather uninteresting but hopefully I will show you how this will change over the coming season.

 This year I am linking to other tree followers over at Loose and Leafy.

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett