Between fireblight, yellowing of leaves and too much fruit falling in your yard, crabapple selection can be a problem. Ten years ago, Colorado State University began participating in a national study to evaluate more than 60 different crabapple varieties. Sixty different trees were planted in a test plot near the Colorado State campus. Every year since 1986, data has been recorded about the trees' performance. Following are seven trees which, over seven years of research, appear to have desirable ornamental characteristics and fairly good disease resistance.
Fruit is red, about one-half inch in size and persistent.
Only very slight fireblight has been seen on this clone. This plant is pinkish in bud, but opens to a single white flower. The abundant fruit is purplish or a maroon red about one-inch in diameter. The tree has a distinct columnar growth habit. The variety appears to be fairly fireblight resistant and, aesthetically, is quite pleasing.