We planted the Japanese crab apple tree in the garden in 2006, not long after we moved into Sheinton Street. Now is its season of fiery scarlet glory. Each fruit glows like a miniature lantern, brightening the gloomiest autumn day. And today is just such a day in Much Wenlock, my usual sky-view over Wenlock Edge, a blanket of grey mist. Even so, the apples glisten. I know, too, as we head into winter, we will have the pleasure of watching the blackbirds come to feed on the fruit, grey days then enlivened by their darting silhouettes foraging among the branches. Few of these tiny apples will be wasted. And then before you know it, the tree will be bursting with purple-pink buds that open in showers of pale blossom. Spring. Splendid how one thing leads to another.
copyright 2014 Tish Farrell
For more studies in scarlet, visit Jennifer at One Word Photo Challenge: Scarlet
Tish Farrell 
I love the English names, such as Much Wenlock. 🙂
janet
Yes it is quaint, and lots of arguments about its origins – whether the Wen bit comes from Saint Owen who did visit way back, or is Welsh, or neither of these.
Such a beautiful type of tree. These apples are so pretty and bright. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are most welcome, Jennifer. Thanks for the opportunity to post it.
no problem 🙂
We also have a crab tree and it is fun to watch the birds eat the little apples, love your photo 🙂
Thank you, CT. I think they are wonderful trees, and so many varieties available now.
Beautiful….and yes it’s the same sort of day here in Hampton, although I am sure so very beautiful in Much Wenlock.
In some ways Much Wenlock doesn’t look too good in the rain. The limestone seems to soak up the moisture and goes all gloomy. It’s always interesting though.
Photo looks beautiful. Do people eat crab apple as much as other fruits or apple? They look too yummy to be left for the girls alone to feast on 🙂
Thanks for sharing
They are very sharp, but you can cook them and use the juice with added sugar to make a clear jelly jam, which is very delicious.
Lovely image!
Cheers, Bob. Glad you liked it.
I did like it Tish…very much!
I hope that you are well my friend?
Regards
Bob
Thank you, Bob, I am well. Hope you are too.
All fine this end. Thanks Tish!
Bob
What a beautiful photograph and you delightful prose was the perfect compliment.
Thank you, kind sir.
Nice choice for the challenge.
I always love to see the bright red crabapples, like the “lanterns” you called them. And I enjoyed how you tied them in the cycle of the seasons, food for the blackbirds (crows?) thru the winter until the delicate blossoms grace the landscape again.
No not crows; our blackbirds are like song thrushes in size only black all over, the females with a brownish look, none of which will make much sense to you if you don’t have song thrushes – medium sized garden birds then. 🙂
They look splendid – does it get cold enough at your place that it is freezing? They will look wonderful with natural frosting
Thank you, Bihua. And yes, how lovely they would look with a touch of sparkling hoar frost, though it would make them rot more quickly! And in answer to your question, we can have quite bad frosts here, though last year we went through winter with hardly a hint of one, which was very weird.
Great color …