Royal Medlar Tree
Royal Medlar (Mespilus germanica 'Royal') is a compact medlar cultivar that is smaller than Nottingham and well suited to gardens where space is limited. It forms a spreading small tree, eventually reaching around 2.5–4m in height and spread. Attractive white, cup-shaped flowers appear in late spring, followed by russet-brown fruits that ripen in autumn. The green, leathery leaves also develop yellow-brown autumn colour.
Royal is particularly valued for the quality and flavour of its fruit and is regarded as one of the better medlars for fresh eating. The fruits are harvested in autumn and should be allowed to soften after picking because this is when the flesh develops its characteristic rich flavour. They can also be used for cooking and making preserves. Royal Medlar is self-fertile, so a single tree can produce fruit without another medlar nearby.
Planting Royal Medlar
Plant Royal Medlar in full sun or light shade in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. It will grow in clay, loam, sandy or chalky soils and tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline conditions. Allow sufficient room for its naturally spreading crown to develop. Water regularly while the tree establishes, particularly during dry weather. Royal is very hardy and suitable for growing throughout the UK.
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Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. Corners of houses and fences can also suffer leaching issues so we advise against it.
Medlar Jargon
Half Standard: Usually a tree that is a lollipop shape. Around 50-100cm of clear stem and a rounded head on top.
Quince A: The roots have been grafted on to give better results. Usually limits maximum height to around 350cm.
General Medlar information
The fruit can be eaten when firm (very tart) or bletted. This consists of storing the Medlar fruits surrounded by saw dust in stone jars until soft and should store for weeks to months at a time. The bletting process takes several weeks. The fruits go through a sort of fermentation process and once they are soft and brownish in colour, the contents can be sucked out leaving the skin and stone behind. The taste is very unique and has been compared to coarse apple sauce with a lot of cinnamon. Some suggest leaving the fruits to be touched by frost before picking others say to definitely pick before so no help there then. Pick the Medlar fruits when they are around 2.5 to 5 cm across when it is dry and the fruits part easily from the tree. Alternatively you can dip in a strong salt solution, store on trays with the eye facing down in a cool frost free place and wait for the same process to occur. Expect a harvest of 13 to 18 kg.
They go well with wine, port or cheese or made into a jelly which is quite easy due to their high pectin content. Also high in vitamin C.
Apparently they are good for indigestion because the pectins, sugars, tannings and gums in Medlar trees quieten the symptoms.
As the wood is quite slow growing and pretty tough, it was used for making windmill parts, spears, clubs and many other used.
The bark will become smooth and shiny over a period of time and so adding to the tidy appearance of the tree. The branches grow in a sculptured and random fashion giving it a very interesting shape. To make the most of a Medlar, make sure you provide it with a planting position in full sun and a good, freely drained soil.
From an ornamental point of view, Medlars have an exotic appearance and will have a final height of around 3.5 metres. This is dependant upon local conditions such as soil fertility, sun, extremely low flying helicopters etc.
Planting in deep fertile and well drained soil will get best results however performance will be diminished on chalky soil so planting near a blackboard graveyard is probably not a good idea. A warm sheltered site (leaves and flowers do not like strong winds) is preferable with full sun but they will be ok in partial shade. If planting more than one, allow at least 4 metres between them and stake for the first 3-4 years or until well established. Medlars can be long lived, reaching 100's of years in some instances.
