CRAB APPLE TREE From universeofsymbolism.com : Crab Apple Tree Crab apple tree is a symbol of youth, joy, and fairie magic and surprise... believing that anything is possible From blueroebuck.com : Crab Apple (Malus spp.) The original British apple tree is a Crab Apple - a deciduous tree that flowers in April and May with a distinctive white or pink flower that gives off a wonderful scent similar to honeysuckle. The tree seldom grows larger than twenty-five feet high. Apple blossoms are a favorite of bees, who thrive on the nectar. These bees and other insects help pollinate the apple trees. Unlike modern cultivated apple trees, the Crab Apple is a thorn bearing tree. The bark of the Crab Apple is gnarly and angular. The leaves are heart shaped, glossy and a medium green shade. The fruit are developed by autumn and ready for harvest, some continuing to fruit into winter. The apple has a star shaped core that is often used in Druid and Witches rituals as a natural pentagram. Wild Apple (Malus sylvestris) is native to Europe and Western Asia. Petrified remains of apple slices on saucers have been found in tombs dating back over 5,000 years. The Greeks and Romans planted apple trees throughout their respective empires. The healing properties of apples were recognized by traditional healers wherever the tree appeared. The Crab Apple is a member of the Rose family, which includes other magical British ogham trees, such as Rowan, Hawthorn and Blackthorn, as well as other fruit trees such as the Cherry, Plum and Pear trees. A popular item of American and British folk art is the Apple Doll, which can still be seen in craft festivals and country stores throughout America. To make one, you peel a large apple, leaving a little skin at the top and bottom to encourage the apple to dry in a rounded head shape. Carve shallow features, such as eyes, wide apart, for the head will shrink as it dries. Core the apple head and place it on a dowel or stick, letting it dry for three to four weeks. Form the body with cloth and wire, attaching the dried head. Yarn can be used for hair. In Celtic tradition, the Otherwordly Avalon was also known as the Avallach, the Isle of Apples, ruled by Fairy Queen, Morgan le Fay. This is the land of fairies and the dead, where King Arthur was taken to be healed by his sister, Morgan. Like their cousins to the North, the Celts attributed the power of healing and youth, or rebirth, to apples. Apples are one of the magical trees, part of the Celtic Ogham tree alphabet, and known as Quert. Apples are sometimes buried in churchyards in an effort to feed the dead. Apples also symbolize rebirth. Deities - Apples are associated with many: Morgan le Fay, Cerridwen, Olwen, Freyja, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Apollo, Hera, Gaia, Athena, Diana, Venus, Cupid, Jupiter, Ishtar, Shekinah, and Astarte. The pentacle in its center is a potent talisman of protection. For a love ritual, charge a small piece of rose quartz to your purpose, then place it in a red bag. With pink ribbon, tie the bag on a branch of an apple tree where it will not be disturbed. When your wish is fulfilled, bury the amulet near the tree, or throw it in the nearest body of water. A similar spell can be done for health or prosperity, by using a green stone (green quartz, emeralds, jade, aventurine, tourmaline, or peridot). Put it in a green bag, with green ribbon, and tie it onto a branch of your apple tree. From naturalmedicinalherbs.net : Medicinal use of Crab Apple: The fruit is astringent and laxative. The crushed fruit pulp can be used as a poultice to heal inflammations or small flesh wounds. The fruit is eaten to obviate constipation. The bark, and especially the root bark, is anthelmintic, refrigerant and soporific. An infusion is used in the treatment of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers. The leaves contain up to 2.4% of an antibacterial substance called "florin". This inhibits the growth of a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in as low a concentration as 30 ppm. Description of the plant: Plant: Deciduous Tree Height: 10 m (33 feet) Flowering: May Habitat of the herb: Woods, scrub and hedges, especially in oak woods, on neutral to calcareous soils. Edible parts of Crab Apple: Fruit - raw or cooked. Used for jellies, preserves and juices. The flavour improves considerably if the fruit is not harvested until it has been frosted. The fruit is quite variable in size (it is about 2 - 4cm in diameter) and quality. Whilst usually harsh and acid, some forms are quite sweet and can be eaten out of hand. The fruit is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam etc. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation. An edible oil can be obtained from the seed. It would only really be viable to use these seeds as an oil source if the fruit was being used for some purpose such as making cider and then the seeds could be extracted from the remaining pulp. A very pleasant tea can be made from the leaves. Other uses of the herb: The fruit is a source of pectin. Pectin is used as a thickener in jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories. A red to yellow dye is obtained from the bark. The wood is an excellent fuel. Propagation of Crab Apple: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It usually germinates in late winter. Stored seed requires stratification for 3 months at 1�C and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is received. It might not germinate for 12 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If given a rich compost they usually grow away quickly and can be large enough to plant out in late summer, though consider giving them some protection from the cold in their first winter. Otherwise, keep them in pots in a cold frame and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of mature wood, November in a frame. Cultivation of the herb: Woods, scrub and hedges, especially in oak woods, on neutral to calcareous soils. Known hazards of Malus sylvestris: All members of this genus contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide in their seeds and possibly also in their leaves, but not in their fruits. Hydrogen cyanide is the substance that gives almonds their characteristic taste but it should only be consumed in very small quantities. Apple seeds do not normally contain very high quantities of hydrogen cyanide but, even so, should not be consumed in very large quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.