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Mespilus germanica

Mespilus germanica

Common Medlar, Dutch Medlar

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Description

Mespilus germanica (medlar) is a large shrub or small (multi-stem) tree which is found in a range extending from Southern Europe to Western Asia and the Caucasus where it grows on the edge of woodland and in transparent forests. The medlar has also naturalised further north and become established in these areas thanks to human activity since the seventh century. Mespilus germanica is, therefore, officially classed as belonging to the archaeophytes. In optimum growth conditions - on moist and fertile soils - the medlar develops into a multi-stem tree six metres tall and the same in width, with an irregularly rounded and dense crown. On account of its relatively slow growth, the medlar takes on a capricious appearance and does not readily lend itself to usage as an upright avenue tree.

Mespilus germanica produces striking whitish pink, rose-like flowers at the end of May and in early June which form a source of nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies. The brown, decorative medlar fruits which appear in the autumn stay on the tree for a long time and are only edible once they have been frozen. Then they are ‘bletted’, i.e., as rotten as a medlar. Birds and small mammals love them. The oblong, slightly hairy leaf emerges fresh green with a grey-green underside, changes to a matt dark green in the summer and in the autumn the medlar puts on a spectacular display, with foliage ranging from orangey yellow to bronze red. The stems are grey, smooth and start to peel as the tree ages; twigs are downy and spiny. 

Mespilus germanica is both hardy and heat-resistant and copes reasonably well with drought. The tree tolerates many different soil types, including chalky soils. This makes the medlar highly suited to a diverse range of locations: from the most natural sites in landscapes to more urban settings such as parks, (small) gardens, roofs and containers. Mespilus germanica is often even used in food forests.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees half-stem trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees characteristic trees fruit trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval vase fval multi-stem umbrella fval multi-stem roof-trained fval espalier

Topiary

espalier espalier

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden small garden cemetery countryside ecological zone

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

climate planting food forest eco planting landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

flattened spherical flattened spherical

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

4 - 6 m

Width

4 - 6 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds small mammals humans nectar value 3 pollen value 3

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Mespilus germanica? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Mespilus germanica standard tree
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Mespilus germanica multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Mespilus germanica multi-stem umbrella
espalier espalier
Mespilus germanica espalier
espalier espalier
Mespilus germanica espalier
flowers flowers
Mespilus germanica flowers
flowers flowers
Mespilus germanica flowers
flowers flowers
Mespilus germanica flowers
flowers flowers
Mespilus germanica flowers
leaves leaves
Mespilus germanica leaves
leaves leaves
Mespilus germanica leaves
fruits fruits
Mespilus germanica fruits
fruits fruits
Mespilus germanica fruits
fruits fruits
Mespilus germanica fruits
fruits fruits
Mespilus germanica fruits
fruits fruits
Mespilus germanica fruits
fruits fruits
Mespilus germanica fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Mespilus germanica autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Mespilus germanica autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Mespilus germanica autumn leaves
bark bark
Mespilus germanica bark
bark bark
Mespilus germanica bark
twigs twigs
Mespilus germanica twigs

Seasonal colours

Mespilus germanica seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

striking singular

Flower colour

white

Flowering period

May - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

matt green buds pale green underside grey-green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid lanceolate matt polished hairy

Autumn colour

yellow-brown yellow-orange bronze-red

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking edible large

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown

Twigs

slightly thorned hairy with lenticels thickly branched

Root system

Root system

deep compact

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Location
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Planting concepts
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Types of planting
Tree types
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Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
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Crown shape
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Topiary on stem
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Topiary
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Height
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Width
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m
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Aspects
Wind
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Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
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Light requirements
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PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Autumn colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
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Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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E info@ebben.nl

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