52 Crabapple Tree Facts: Identification, Uses, Habitat And More

Did you know that the crabapple tree is a member of the rose family?

Or that it can be found in every state in the US? Crabapple fruit trees are found in every state in the US.

They belong to the rose family and can reach heights of up to 30 ft (nine-meter).

Crabapples are used for many purposes, from making jelly as well as cider to being turned into furniture.

They have a long blooming season, often lasting until late autumn.

The small pink buds or white flowers are very fragrant.

The purple leaves on a flowering crabapple tree are deeply lobed and vary in flower color depending on the variety, like red flowers.

The crabapple fruit is small and tart but can be eaten raw or cooked.

Crabapple trees, apart from being fruit trees, provide food and shelter for many different animals, including birds, bees, as well as squirrels.

There are many different types of flowering crabapples, each with its own unique characteristics.

Flowering crabapples are an excellent choice for a small yard, as they grow in most parts of the country and don't take up much space.

They provide beautiful flowers in springtime along with delicious fruit throughout the autumn months if you live somewhere warm enough to have those seasons all year round.

You can also use them as windbreaks or privacy screens because their purple leaves stay on long after other types of deciduous plants have lost theirs, making them perfect for providing some shelter from winter winds while still letting light through when necessary.

The crabapple tree comes in many varieties with different flower colors, shapes, and sizes.

One of the most popular is Malus x Domestica' Pink Spire', which produces lovely pink flowers on an upright tree that grows up to 25 ft (eight-meter) tall at maturity.

The apple trees are perfect for planting near your house or sidewalk, where passersby will be able to enjoy its beauty without getting too close.

Continue reading further to learn some more interesting facts about crabapple trees here on Kidadl.

Facts About Crabapple Trees

• Crabapples and their hybrids are a member of the genus Malus in the family Rosaceae.
• The Latin name for crab apple trees is malus sylvestris, which means 'wild apple.'
• These apple trees were introduced from Europe to North America in 1623 by English colonists who brought them over with them because they believed that this fruit could cure scurvy or other fungal disease caused by eating rotten meat or fish.
• Crabapples grow best in full sun or partial shade and rich soil with good drainage; they prefer acidic conditions but can tolerate alkaline soils better than most other fruits like cherries or plums.
• These apple trees blossom to produce a fragrant scent when blooming, which attracts pollinators such as bees – making them perfect for attracting wildlife into your garden.
• In addition to being eaten fresh off the tree by humans, apples have been widely used throughout history as an ingredient in many dishes as well as drinks.
• In the UK, a popular dish called apple crumble is made with stewed apples covered in a crumbly topping of flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
• The bark on young trees is smooth and greenish-gray; as these trees mature, it becomes darker and rougher with long ridges.
• Crabapple trees can grow from 12-30 ft (3.5-9 m) tall but are usually smaller than most other apple varieties, making them a good choice for small yards or landscapes.
• The leaves are alternately arranged, oval-shaped with finely serrated edges, and around two to five inches wide; they turn yellow or purplish-red in autumn before falling off the tree.
• Fruit production varies greatly depending on the cultivar; some crabapples produce very small fruit while others can yield large, up to two-inch diameter apples.
• Crabapple trees come in a variety of vibrant colors, including shades of pink, purplish-red, green, yellow, red flowers, and even white flowers.
• There are over 700 known cultivars of crabapple trees that vary greatly in size, shape, flower color, and flavor, so there's sure to be one perfect for your landscape or garden.
• Some favorite uses for crabapple trees include landscaping features, specimen plants, windbreaks, wildlife habitats & food sources.
• A mature crabapple tree typically has a round crown and spreading branches.
• The flowers are small, white, or pink in color and grow from April through June.

Crabapple Tree's Habitat

• Crabapple trees can be found in the Northern Hemisphere. They grow wild in North America, Europe, Asia, as well as Africa.
• There are over 100 species of crabapples that exist today; however, only a few species have been cultivated for commercial use as food sources or ornamental trees.
• The most common type is Malus Domestica which grows up to 20 ft (6 m) tall with pink crabapples flower that blooms from April through June each year.
• These trees produce small bright red fruits called 'crabs' (also known as cherries) which are edible but not tasty enough to enjoy without some preparation beforehand like cooking or sugaring them down before eating them raw like applesauce.
• Crabapple trees are often planted as ornamentals in yards, parks, and other public areas because of their showy flowers and interesting fruit.
• They can also be used to provide shelter and food for wildlife like songbirds, squirrels, and deer.
• If you're lucky enough to have a crabapple tree in your backyard, make sure to take advantage of its many benefits, like its fruit-bearing qualities and beautiful flowers.
• Crabapple trees are generally found in the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of Canada.
• They can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and meadows.
• Crabapples prefer moist soils but can also tolerate dry conditions.
• They tend to grow in areas with full sun exposure.

Crabapple Tree's Identification

• There are many different types of flowering crabapple trees out there, each one with its own unique characteristics.
• Crabapple trees' identification and uses can vary greatly depending on the species you choose to plant in your yard or garden.
• Yellow-Leaved Crab Apple (Malus pumila 'Brantley') is known for its bright yellow foliage that turns red when it gets ripe.
• This particular type produces small white flowering crabapples, which will eventually produce edible fruit later in life. These pinkish-orange fruits make excellent jamming materials.
• A great addition to any landscape plan because these trees do not get too big, so they fit nicely into smaller spaces where other plants might grow out of control over time if left unchecked by a gardener.
• Autumn Blaze Crab Apple (Malus 'Autumn Blaze') is one of the most popular types, grown for both its ornamental as well as fruit-bearing qualities.
• This tree sports showy deep red leaves all autumn long, making it a prized specimen in any landscape design.
• Green Jewel Crab Apple (Malus Pumila Variegata) has beautiful green foliage with white flower buds that bloom from May through September.
• They grow best when planted in full sun but can tolerate partial shade as well; this makes them ideal candidates for container gardening or small spaces where other plants might struggle due to lack of light exposure.
• The Royal Raindrops crabapple will grow to be 15 ft (5 m) tall and wide. Pinkish flowers and rich purple foliage characterize this cultivar.
• Malus Jewelcole' (Red Jewel Crabapple) is a tiny deciduous tree with lovely decorative qualities.
• The flowering crabapple tree will produce delicious little crabapples, too, if desired by you - make sure not to let go ripe they're amazing in pies and tarts.
• With so many trees available, there's sure to be one that fits both your needs and your landscape perfectly.
• Most flowering crabapple trees range from 15-30 ft (5-9 m) tall, although some may grow taller or shorter.
• A crabapple tree has an upright habit with a rounded crown and dense foliage.
• The bark of a flowering crabapple tree is smooth and gray-brown in color, while its leaves are dark green above light green below.
• The fruit of the flowering crabapple tree is red or yellow when ripe, which occurs around September or October, depending on where it grows.
• These fruits will eventually fall off once matured seeds inside them develop fully by mid-October through November time frame for most areas throughout the United States except southern regions where they may still be ripening.
• Crabapple flowers have five petals that grow to about half an inch long, with three sepals at the base of each flower's stalk (the ovary).
• Flowers from crabapple trees bloom from April through June before turning brownish-purple as they ripen into berries during late summer, around July until early August.
• Siberian crabapple, Manchurian crab apple, as well as Chinese crab apple are all popular names for Malus baccata, an Asian apple species.

Ways To Eat Crabapples

• Crabapples are edible, although they can be very sour.
• Their flavor depends on the cultivar – some will have a distinct tart and tangy taste, while others may have a sweet sugary finish.
• They are generally eaten raw or cooked into jams or jellies for preserves but can also be made into cider vinegar, wine, and brandy.
• It is not necessary to peel them before eating them since their skin contains antioxidants that help prevent the growth of cancer cells in people; thus, peeling is not necessary.
• If you choose not to peel them, however, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after handling raw crab apples to avoid spreading bacteria.
• If there has been frost recently, then leave them out until it thaws so that they'll ripen naturally with time instead of turning to mush.
• Some people also use leaves from the crabapple tree to make tea, which is good for the stomach, bladder, and kidneys.
• The bark of crabapples can also be boiled down into a syrup which helps with respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and even pneumonia.
• So the next time you see some wild crabapples growing on a tree near you – go ahead and harvest them; they might just come in handy for something other than decoration.
• Crabapples are edible and come in many different flavors depending on the cultivar.
• When picking crabapples from trees, always wash them before eating because there may still be pesticides on them if they haven't been organically grown.
• You don't need to peel off all of the skin when eating them either – it contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer cell growth in humans.
• So keep some on if you want more nutritional value out of your snack.
• In Minnesota, apple scab is by far the most frequent infection of apple as well as crabapple trees.
• A fungus attacks both leaves and fruit, causing an apple scab.
• Apple, pear, quince, and crabapple are particularly susceptible to fire blight.
• During periods of dry weather, trees or bushes should be trimmed carefully to prevent fire blight.