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| ## crabapples {#crabapples .Title-Header}                             |
|                                                                       |
| ## (apples) {#apples .Title-Header}                                   |
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| *Malus* species                                                       |
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| Plant Symbol = MALUS                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Crabapples are used primarily in landscape plantings, in shelterbelts,
and for wildlife benefits. The fruit is eaten by songbirds and upland
game, and can be used for making jellies and spiced apples.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Crabapples (*Malus* species) include about 25 species of deciduous or
rarely half-evergreen trees or shrubs native to the temperate regions of
North America, Europe, and Asia. They vary from a large shrub-like
plant, 6 to 8 feet, to a medium tree, 15 to 35 feet. The branches are
slender and upright. Flowers are showy and vary in color from white to
pink to deep red. Blooms appear from mid April to early June depending
on location. The apples produced are either red or yellow and vary in
size from 1/4 inch diameter up to 3/4 inch.

*Malus mandshurica* (Maxim.) Kom., Siberian crabapple, is a tall,
spreading species, 25 to 35 feet in height, best suited to large, open
areas. Profuse, fragrant flowers appear in May. The fruit, which can
range in color from red to yellow, ripens from August to November. This
species is often used in beach gardens which offer some protection from
salt and wind.

![Color image of Crabapples
(Malus)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.1251968503937007in"
height="2.0in"}*Malus coronaria* (L.) P. Mill., sweet crab, grows
upright to as a shrub 15 to 25 feet tall, with pink flowers which appear
in mid-March. The large fruit is used as a main wildlife food.

*Malus floribunda* Sieb. ex Van Houtte, Japanese flowering crab, reaches
a mature height of 20 to 25 feet and blooms heavily in May. The blooms
are deep pink, fading to white. The red and yellow fruit stays on the
branches into the winter, providing a food source for wildlife.

*Malus sargeniti* Rehd., Sargent crab, is a bushy, densely branched
shrub, usually twice as wide as it is tall. Its white flowers bloom
profusely in mid May and are followed by deep red fruit, which remains
on the branches until December. In addition to the general uses listed
above, Sargent crab can be effectively used as a pruned hedge.

*Malus sieboldii* (Regel) Rehd., toringa crab, ranges in size from a
shrub to a small tree. Its flowers are white and single, and its
reddish‑yellow fruit hangs in clusters from the branches.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

Crabapples can be grown on medium to heavy soils that are somewhat
poorly to well drained. The pH should be 5.5 or higher. Full sun is
preferred for best performance, but they will tolerate light shade.

Crabapples is distributed throughout the majority of the United States.
For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Crabapples, like other trees and shrubs should not be planted into
living sod. The site should be prepared a year ahead so that early
spring plantings can be made into weed free locations that are two feet
larger in radius than the seedlings. Nursery seedlings of the species
discussed above should be planted as early in the spring as possible.
Grafted varieties are usually purchased as container plants. When
planted, the graft must be above ground. Do not fertilize during the
establishment year. Prune off all side branches that are not desired for
permanent limbs, and provide protection from rabbits and deer in high
population areas.

In hedgerows, space the plants 10 feet apart for 'Roselow' and 15-20
feet apart for 'Midwest'. Plant at least 10 feet away from buildings.
Mulching with hay, wood shavings, grass clippings, etc. will help
maintain moisture and control weeds.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Weeds must be controlled for the first 2 years if plants are to survive.
The application of fertilizer is not recommended at the time of
establishment. The size and shape of the tree can be managed by pruning.
Prune all branches that form sharp angles with the trunk, and remove all
side branches except those desired for permanent limbs. Once crabapples
become well established, little care is required.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Weeds and grass, if left to grow around young plants can stifle their
growth. Rabbits may damage or kill young plants. If the rabbit
population is high, some protection is recommended. Diseases include
fireblight, apple scab, frogeye leaf spot, and black rot. Insects
include fall webworm cankerworms, and apple maggot.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are many ornamental cultivars of crabapple available from
commercial nurseries and garden centers. Most are horticultural
selections intended for urban and suburban landscapes, and many of these
are grafted onto select rootstocks. The variety should be selected based
on the intended use. If the use is primarily for wildlife food,
seedlings of the species can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of
grafted varieties which are recommended for ornamental plantings. The
seed propagated conservation selections exhibit some variability. Some
of the cultivars selected for conservation use include:

'Midwest' Siberian crab (Asia) is 25-35 feet tall, and usually spreads
at least that wide. It needs considerable space for full development.
'Midwest' has white flowers with a pink cast, and is hardy everywhere in
the Northeast.

'Roselow' sargent crab (Japan) is a bushy, densely branched shrub that
is often twice as wide as the 8 foot height. White flowers produce deep
red fruit. 'Roselow' can be pruned as a hedge. Avoid planting this
cultivar in wetter soils. It is not hardy in the northern counties of
NY, VT, NH, and ME.

Common toringa crab is variable in size but generally is a small tree.
It has white flowers and reddish yellow fruit that is borne in clusters.
It is not hardy in NY, VT, NH, ME, and northwestern MA.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060802 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060802-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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