Well, its not very well, is it? If its supposed to be a Malus of some kind, the crab apples should be larger than these cherry sized things. If this is the best it can do after nine years, I'd be inclined to remove it.

Thanks Bamboo, I think that's sensible advice especially as it irritates me each time I look at it. I only kept it because A. it was a gift, and B. I suppose I kept hoping it would suddenly spring into life. Fat chance aye? Thanks a lot. Breda...

As a point of information no tree likes to be planted with grass right up around it. When you plant a tree in grass you need to dig out a space at least a metre wide for the tree to grow in.

Some crab apples do have a small fruit like these. If you cut one in half, Bredakelly, and it looks just like a minature apple, then it will be a Malus.

You also might want to make sure that it hasn't been whipped about the base with a strimmer in its youth, since that is one of the most common causes of sulking trees like this. Ironically, one way of bringing it out of this stunted state--if it is NOT strimmer-damaged--is to whack it about the trunk with a light board, just about hard enough that it would make your skin sting, if it was you. The best time for this is in early spring, just before it blooms and leafs out. I'm not sure if it is correct, the theory is that that causes the cambium to release acetylene gas, which causes the trunk to grow thicker, improving water and nutrient flow to the crown.

Hello Tugbrethil, thank you for your very detailed advice. I will keep note of it and give the tree a good old whacking in the spring as you suggested - never heard that treatment before, but I am almost entirely ignorant about trees even though I love them - and I will examine the trunk for any sign of damage. The foliage and the berries are such a pretty colour it would be a shame to lose it. Thanks again. Breda...

Hi Bulbaholic, I did cut a berry this morning and, no, it is deep red all the way through with a small seed or pip in the middle. Does that tell you anything more? Would be grateful for any further suggestions. Isn't this a wonderful site? I love it. All the best. Breda...

PS I should have said the cut berry doesn't look anything like a apple...

That says a lot, Bredakelly, mainly that it is not a Malus (Crab Apple). It is a Prunus species and could be a cherry tree. Maybe it is a flowering cherry, grown for it's early spring flowers rather than it's fruits? Our flowering cherry has no fruit at all.

Hello again. Forgot to say I will remember to ask my questions on a blog. Didn't know that... Lol.

Whaaat?! Don't ask questions in a blog, Breda, I'll never find 'em... this is the place for questions.

I did wonder if it was a cherry as the fruit is very fleshy and juicy so perhaps you are right. Thanks lots. Breda...

Hi Bamboo, it was suggested to me by another member who thinks more people see the questions in the blogs site. However I will continue to ask mine here. You might be interested to know that I cut a fruit in half and it was dark red and fleshy right through and really juicy with a tiny pip or seed at it's centre. I would really like to know for sure what it is. Also there is considerable evidence that the trunk was damaged by the strimmer in the past - I did have several different gardeners doing the lawn when my husband was ailing??? Tugbrethil suggested that that could be the cause of the trees poor growth. Do you agree? Breda...

Absolutely - plus, if it is a cherry (and its hard to tell because the bark is covered in lichen or something) they're surface rooting, so if you put any lawn treatments down close to the tree, it will be absorbing them too. If you want to try to save the poor thing, follow Tug's advice (you should film it and put it on YouTube, I really am smiling at the thought of you out there beating up your tree) but I'd also remove a circle of grass at least a foot either side of the tree and leave that open, so to speak, and perhaps apply a top dressing to it of composted manure. Later on, if it recovers, you can try planting some ground cover in there - but without disturbing the roots, they hate that too.

Yes Bamboo, it made me smile too and I told my son we will have to do it in the dead of night or the neighbours will be sending for the funny wagon, but on a more serious note we will take your advice and hope for the best. Thanks lots...

Be very careful when removing the turf so you don't inadvertently cut into a root or three...

Wll do, Bamboo. Ta lots...

Good luck Breda I trust we have all given you enough info to sort this poor wee tree out!

I feel sorry for it - its been abused (unknowingly) and is now in line for a whacking...

Yup... poor tree! Oh and Breda blogs are when you are writing or putting photos up about something this is the place to ask questions.

Between my practice of bonsai, and this, I hope no one call the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Plants on me! : D

Hi Tug. ( hope you don't mind me calling you Tug ) That would be something, wouldn't it?Can you imagine the headline in the newspaper - Two ladies appear before the Court on charges of abusing Plant Life!!! - Aw! gee is that the best we can do? I'd rather it read something like - Two Ladies in Court on charges of painting the town a BRILLIANT shade of CRIMSON. What do you think? You grow Bonsai? That's really clever. Well done you.