The plot is in a completely randomized block design with three replications of each crabapple. In the authors' opinion, there are some ornamental crabapples that should not be used in the landscape due to an overall lack of aesthetic qualities. This deficiency of aesthetics may be in part due to extensive defoliation or fruit deformation from apple scab, ungainly tree form, retention of mummified fruit, sparse clusters to no fruit, coarse or dull fruit finish, cluttered branching structure, or a general lack of ornamental appeal. Any combination of these aesthetic defects would be extremely difficult to overcome. All other crabapples have been rated for five years.
Monthly ratings are combined and an average derived for each crabapple selection.
This mean is useful in determining the true character profile of a crabapple. Although there are both high and low ratings during a single year, averaging the ratings should eliminate uncharacteristic fluctuations. This cumulative mean is therefore the best indicator of how a crabapple will perform aesthetically in the landscape. When aesthetic quality is combined with disease resistance, then customer satisfaction and success will increase. However, this does not mean that any tree that fails to exhibit complete resistance to scab should be avoided in the landscape.