Photo Credits: Dr. Loretta W. Harvey
Scientific Name: Malus spp.
Common Name: Over 800 Crab Apple cultivars exist
Type: Deciduous Tree
Family: Rosaceae
Native Range: North America, Europe, and Asia
USDA Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 10 to 25 feet
Spread: 10 to 25 feet
Bloom Time: Spring (late April to early May)
Bloom Description: Showy, often fragrant flowers, usually with 5 petals. Colors range from pure white to pink to red (single, semi-double, or double flowers depending on cultivar).
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Medium. Prefers moist, well-drained soil, but is moderately drought tolerant once established.
Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning once structure is established. Prune in late winter or early spring while dormant to reduce disease incidence, or after flowering.
Leaf Type/Shape: Simple, alternate, ovate (oval) leaves with serrated (toothed) margins. Foliage is typically green, but many cultivars feature bronze-red or purple-red leaves throughout the season.
Attracts: Birds (eat persistent fruit), Pollinators (bees and butterflies to the flowers).
Other Info: Fruit is defined as a crabapple if it is less than 2 inches in diameter. Fruit is edible, often used for jellies, but can be messy on walkways. Fall color is ornamental, ranging from yellow, red, and orange.
Tolerate: A wide range of soil conditions (clay, sand, loam), as long as it is well-drained. Many varieties have good tolerance for compacted soil and air pollution. Established trees tolerate moderate drought.
Invasive: The genus Malus is not broadly listed as invasive, but certain non-native species and their hybrids have shown local invasiveness in natural areas by escaping cultivation and forming thickets, notably in the east-central U.S. Always select disease-resistant, non-reseeding, or sterile cultivars to minimize potential spread.
Climate: USDA zones 4 to 8. A wide range of soil conditions (clay, sand, loam), as long as it is well-drained. Many varieties have good tolerance for compacted soil and air pollution. Established trees tolerate moderate drought.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Provides spectacular spring flowers, good summer foliage, ornamental fall color, and persistent, colorful fruit that often lasts through winter. Highly adaptable to a wide range of climates and urban conditions, making it a popular choice for street trees and home landscapes. With hundreds of cultivars, there is a crabapple for nearly every landscape need, from dwarf shrubs to columnar forms. Always prioritize disease-resistant cultivars like 'Adirondack,' 'Prairifire,' 'Sugar Tyme,' 'Donald Wyman,' and 'Louisa.'
Problems: As members of the Rose family, Malus species are susceptible to several serious diseases and pests, including: Diseases: Apple Scab, Fire Blight, Cedar-Apple Rust, and Powdery Mildew. Selecting disease-resistant cultivars is the most important preventative measure. Insects: Aphids, Borers, Tent Caterpillars, Scale, and Japanese Beetles.
Economic Uses: Ornamental/Landscape - The primary use today, valued for its ornamental appeal as a specimen plant, in borders, or for screening. Wildlife - The persistent fruit provides a valuable food source for birds and small mammals, especially during the late fall and winter. Food -The fruit is used to make jellies, jams, and spiced apples. Medicinal -Historically, the fruit and bark have been used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Wood -The wood is sometimes used in woodworking, such as on a lathe.
Donated by: Grandchildren of M. Louise Noel
In memory of: M. Louise Noel
Date Planted:
Arboretum Catalog Number: 0003-D
Photo Credits: Dr. Loretta W. Harvey
