The special native crab apple trees of Galloway will come under focus at a special event.
Experts are increasingly appreciating and admiring the number of native crab apple trees, which are hardy and long-lived.
But why they are here and why they matter will be the focus of the event, taking place online and at the CatStrand in New Galloway on January 18.
Jools Cox of South West Community Woodlands Trust’s crab apple project, who will be speaking on the night, said: “The crab apple project has been so exciting.
“We have proved what we always believed, that our beautiful native Scottish malus sylvestris are really special, not just here but in the whole of northern Europe.
“So now we want to make sure that they are enjoyed, protected, propagated, and given the reverence they deserve.”
Galloway’s crab apple trees are found in rough pasture on hills, along the coast along riverbanks and sometimes in gardens.
They bear beautiful pink blossom in spring, in autumn golden globes of fruit, locally known as scroggies, that sometimes hang on throughout the winter.
Galloway, together with a couple of other areas in the UK, has an exceptionally high level of native genetic material in its crab apple stock – likely due to the remote nature of our current treestock and the reduced chance of cross pollination with other apple species.
However not all of the area’s crab apple trees are true natives as some have been cross pollinated with domestic apples and ornamental varieties.
This puts the survival of the true “native” crab apples under threat.
The South West Scotland Community Woodlands Trust has been leading the project to identify and better understand the population of native crab apple trees, celebrating their significance through history to present day.
The team have been on a mission to find Galloway’s true natives through DNA testing, using this to grow the next generation of native trees and seek to protect this important natural asset.
The event will share an overview of their work, with free tickets available at https://fienta.com/galloway-crab-apple-action.
It is being delivered in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, which aims to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them in Dumfries & Galloway.
Project officer, McNabb Laurie, said: “With expert eyes increasingly turning to the crab apple trees of Galloway, it is so important that we take a moment to appreciate why the local native trees are important – and how they can influence lots of contemporary questions around resilience of our food systems and our changing climate.”
