The ‘Red Jewel’ crab apple tree (Malus ‘Red Jewel’) is a popular ornamental choice, offering continuous visual interest throughout the seasons with its progression of blooms, foliage, and fruit. It is a low-maintenance yet striking addition to outdoor spaces.
Red Jewel Crab Apple Characteristics
The ‘Red Jewel’ crab apple reaches a mature height of 12 to 15 feet with a spread of 8 to 12 feet, forming an upright, pyramidal-oval shape. In mid-spring, typically April to May, the tree produces abundant pure white flowers from shell-pink buds.
After blooming, small, bright red fruits, about ½ inch in diameter, develop. These persistent crab apples cling to the branches through fall and winter, often until the following spring. The foliage consists of glossy, dark green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. This cultivar is hardy and thrives across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
Planting Your Red Jewel Crab Apple
Planting a ‘Red Jewel’ crab apple begins with site selection. This tree thrives in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant flowering and fruiting. While adaptable to various soil types, including loam, clay, and sand, it prefers moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH, ideally between 5.5 and 6.5. Good air circulation also promotes overall health.
The best times for planting are early spring or fall, when temperatures are cooler and soil moisture is consistent. Dig the planting hole at least six inches wider than the root ball and to the same depth, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. After placing the tree, backfill with excavated soil, watering thoroughly midway and again at the end to settle the soil and remove air pockets. For multiple trees, space them 10 to 12 feet apart for mature growth, or 6 to 8 feet apart for a dense privacy screen.
Care and Maintenance
Newly planted ‘Red Jewel’ crab apples require consistent watering, especially during their first growing season. Water deeply every three to four days for the initial six weeks to establish the root system. After this period, the tree needs supplemental watering only during extended dry spells, with about one to two inches of water per week during its first year if rainfall is insufficient. To check soil moisture, insert a finger about three inches deep; if it feels dry, watering is needed.
Fertilization supports healthy growth and flowering; a simple tree fertilizer applied once a year in the fall is sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers and fruit. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant and before new growth. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and thin out congested areas to improve air circulation and light penetration. Do not remove more than one-third of the tree’s total structure in a single season.
Common Pests and Diseases
The ‘Red Jewel’ crab apple has good disease resistance, making it a low-maintenance ornamental tree. It shows moderate resistance to apple scab and fire blight, but may have slight susceptibility to powdery mildew. Apple scab causes dark, olive-green spots on leaves, leading to premature yellowing and dropping, and black spots on fruit. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery growth on leaves and stems.
Fire blight can cause branch tips to blight, with leaves turning brown or black, drooping, and remaining scorched on branches. To reduce cedar apple rust risk, avoid planting ‘Red Jewel’ near juniper trees, which host the pathogen. Common insect pests include aphids and Japanese beetles. Deer and rabbits may also browse on young shoots and bark, especially in winter.
Uses and Landscape Benefits
The ‘Red Jewel’ crab apple offers year-round appeal, making it versatile for various landscape applications. Its white flowers in spring, persistent red fruit through winter, and attractive form provide continuous interest. It is often used as a specimen plant or an accent. Its compact size also suits urban environments, including street tree plantings or areas with overhead power lines.
The persistent fruit provides a food source for birds, especially when other food is scarce in late winter and early spring. While small and tart, the fruit can be harvested for jellies. For privacy or screening, multiple ‘Red Jewel’ trees can form a dense, flowering hedge. However, fruit drop in spring can create mess, so consider placement away from high-traffic walkways or patios.