There’s never a dull moment with crabapple trees. They pop out with deep magenta flower buds in the early spring, which turn white as they open to make a multicolored rainbow. In the summertime, the trees are lush and green, full of singing birds.
By late summer, the tiny crabapples come out in shades of red and orange, and the leaves start showing their fall colors. Even when the leaves are gone and the last apples have fallen, the tree holds a nice shape for the winter.
If you want to grow a crabapple tree in your yard, here’s everything you need to know.
About Crabapple Trees
There are too many varieties of crabapple to count, with shapes ranging from upright to spreading to weeping. Flowering ornamental crabapple trees are for landscape use, with flowers in the white-pink-red range and green or red leaves.
Crabapple trees belong to the same genus, Malus, as regular apple trees. The only difference is the size of the fruit. Traditional apples are 2 inches in diameter, while crabapples are smaller. Both are edible, but ornamental crabapples will probably taste pretty sour, so you might want to think twice before taking a bite.
How To Choose a Crabapple Tree
Consider these factors when you’re choosing a crabapple tree for your space:
- Fruit persistence: Some crabapple varieties, especially Asian ones, keep their fruits well into the winter. Others drop the fruit early, which can make quite a mess.
- Disease and pest resistance: Try to find a variety resistant to apple scab, fireblight, mildew, and Japanese beetles.
- Size and shape: You can find crabapple trees from 8 to 40 feet in size, with varying shapes that suit different landscape designs and pruning preferences.
Crabapple Growing Conditions
To keep your crabapple tree happy and healthy, plant it in the right growing conditions and follow a strict care routine.
The best place to grow a crabapple tree is in USDA hardiness zones 4–8, which span a wide range of climates across the country. They thrive in full sun and need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom at the optimal ratio.
While different crabapple varieties work best in different soil types, you’ll generally need rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. This will support robust growth for the tree and lessen the risk of stress-related disorders.
While crabapple trees prefer dry soil, you’ll still need to water them regularly, especially during the first year of growth. Don’t plant them in low-lying areas or spots with poor drainage. A new planting will need consistent moisture, but mature trees show remarkable drought tolerance.
Planting Crabapple Trees
You can plant a crabapple tree anytime the soil is workable. Plant bare-root trees in the early spring, but if you have a balled, burlapped, or container-grown tree, you can plant it into the summer or fall.
Many flowering crabapples graft onto tougher rootstock, so plant them at the same depth they were in the pot. Don’t go too deep, as this might stop the roots from establishing properly.
Add a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the tree’s base, but keep it away from the trunk. This will help a new tree retain soil moisture and keep weeds from fighting for valuable nutrients.
Crabapple Tree Care
Give your new crabapple tree 1 inch of water per week for the first year. Once the tree is established, you won’t need supplemental irrigation except during extreme droughts. A drought won’t kill a crabapple tree, but it will cause the tree to focus on survival at the expense of flowers and fruits.
If you planted the tree in good soil, you probably don’t need extra fertilizer. Only feed it if you notice stunted growth, pale yellow leaves, or poor blooms or fruits.
You don’t need to prune crabapple trees except for the occasional shape-up. Pay special attention to removing watersprouts or dead branches. You may also want to prune trees at risk for fungal disease, allowing for better air circulation. Do your pruning before June—otherwise, you may get fewer flowers the following year.
Common Crabapple Tree Problems
Crabapples are largely resistant to disease but can still face some challenges, even with proper care. Here are some of the most common issues you might face:
- Apple scab: This is a fungal disease that causes dark, velvety spots on crabapple leaves and fruits. Prevent it by choosing a resistant tree variety, improving air circulation nearby, and planting the tree at the right depth.
- Fireblight: This bacterial disease causes crabapple branches to appear scorched. To fix it, prune affected areas so the damage won’t spread.
- Japanese beetle infestations: These nasty pests can skeletonize crabapple leaves. Handpick the beetles off the trees, or use a safe insecticide to stop a severe infestation.
- Cedar apple rust: This fungal disease causes orange spots on crabapple leaves and fruits. To prevent it, choose a resistant crabapple tree variety and plant it away from nearby juniper trees.
