Bare Root | 120-150cm Tall | By Direct Plants
A classic crab apple of enduring quality, Malus ‘John Downie’ is supplied as a premium bare root tree at 120-150cm tall by Direct Plants. Grown and carefully selected at our award-winning family nursery in Norfolk, this distinguished variety is valued for its generous fruiting, refined form, and reliable garden performance.
Highly regarded for both its ornamental appeal and culinary usefulness, ‘John Downie’ offers a graceful presence through every season — from spring blossom to richly coloured autumn fruit. It is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a tree that is as productive as it is beautiful.
(Malus ‘John Downie’ – Ornamental & Culinary, approx. 15–20ft / 4.5–6m at maturity)
In spring, ‘John Downie’ is covered in delicate white flowers, followed by heavy crops of large, orange-red crab apples with a subtle pear-shaped form. The fruits are aromatic, sharp-sweet in flavour, and highly regarded for jellies, preserves, and cooking. The tree develops a naturally well-balanced, upright habit and is known for its robustness and longevity.
Fully hardy and adaptable, this variety performs well in most soil types and garden positions. It thrives when planted directly into the ground but can also be grown successfully in a large container (100 litres or more), where its size can be carefully managed.
1 premium bare root Malus ‘John Downie’ Crab Apple Tree, approx. 120-150cm tall
Clearly labelled variety for confidence and traceability
Roots carefully wrapped in moist compost to ensure freshness during transit
Delivered in Direct Plants’ bespoke, heavy-duty live tree packaging for safe, secure delivery
Grown and lifted at the optimal time of year by our experienced nursery team in Norfolk, UK
A fully hardy outdoor tree selected for quality, reliability, and long-term performance
We specialise in large, established trees that provide immediate structure and dependable results — ideal for gardeners who value provenance and quality.
Our bare root trees are root-wrapped in moist compost, ensuring they arrive in excellent condition and do not require immediate planting. This gives you flexibility while maintaining nursery-fresh quality.
Soak roots in water for 1–2 hours before planting
Dig a hole wide enough to allow the roots to spread naturally
Position the tree so the root flare sits at soil level
Backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly
Stake if required, particularly in exposed locations
Mulch around the base (keeping clear of the trunk) to retain moisture
Water regularly throughout the first growing season
Once established, Malus ‘John Downie’ is low-maintenance and highly rewarding, offering dependable crops and seasonal interest for many years.
Whether planted in an orchard, a productive garden, or as a feature tree with purpose, the John Downie Crab Apple Tree is a timeless, high-quality choice — grown with care and delivered direct from our nursery to your garden.
