Malus Domestica; Apple

Common Name: Apple

Latin Name: Malus Domestica

Type: Deciduous

Location: Levenshulme

Ultimate height: 4 – 8m

Ultimate spread: 4 – 8m

Located Malus Domestica height: 2m

Overall shape: Fan shaped

Leaf Shape: Elliptical shaped with a rounded base. Toothed margin with a slightly pointed tip. Up to 13 cm long.

Bark: Mousey brown/greyish most often fissured

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained sand, clay or loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits varied in size/shapes along with the colour. Generally have 5cm width in diameter. Flowers white/tinged pink colour. Growth in stalked clusters.

Distribution: Regularly found scattered across Ireland and Britain throughout cultivation gardens and orchids.

This particular Malus Domestica was found within a community orchid amongst a dividing fence. Its fruit is highly distinctive which enabled me to identify the treeIn close proximity to the tree was a greenhouses, housing chillies and other managed vegetables. Its condition seemed very healthy judging by the fruit produced although its growth seemed to need assisting as a result of the wood tied to its trunk. The ground conditions were moist but loose. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Malus Domestica

Sorbus Aria; Whitebeam

Common Name: Whitebeam

Latin Name: Sorbus Aria

Type: Deciduous

Location: Highfield Park

Ultimate height: 8 – 12m

Ultimate spread: 4 – 8m

Located Sorbus Aria height: 4m

Overall shape: Spreading or domed crown

Leaf Shape: Hairy, oval shaped and sometimes with toothed or shallowly lobed margins. Undersides of leaves bright white in colour when first opened, gradually becoming greener in colour as the upper surface falls downwards.

Bark: Grey in colour, either ridged or smooth.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained loam, sand, clay or chalk.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits are 1.5cm in length, ovoid shape. Red in colour by September furthering appearing in white stalked clusters by May.

Distribution: Native to southern Britain

This particular Sorbus Aria is located amongst a mixed woodland in close proximity to a small stream. Surrounding the tree is a grid like pattern of multiple Sorbus Aria proving the planting of this tree to be intentional. The ground conditions were very moist, potentially from the heavy rainfall. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of 6.0 indicating the soil to be Acidic

pH chart (GARDENERS mate)

My illustration of the Sorbs Aria