The crab apple tree, a member of the genus Malus, is a small, deciduous ornamental tree cultivated primarily for its aesthetic value. Unlike the common apple tree, the crab apple transforms landscapes with spring flowers, summer foliage, and persistent winter fruit. Identifying a crab apple tree involves observing its woody structure, spring blossoms, and the distinct characteristics of its miniature fruit. This guide details these features to help you recognize the species.
The Woody Structure
Crab apple trees are small to medium-sized, typically reaching a mature height between 15 and 25 feet, though heights can range from 6 to 40 feet. The overall shape, or growth habit, varies significantly, ranging from narrowly upright and columnar to broadly rounded, spreading, or weeping forms.
The bark on a mature crab apple is typically gray-brown, often developing a scaly or fissured texture as the tree ages. While many cultivated varieties are thornless, wild or older species may possess sharp thorns along the branches. The dense branching pattern offers shade in summer and a rugged silhouette against the winter sky.
Leaves and Spring Blooms
The seasonal display begins with flowers in early spring, often appearing just as the new leaves unfurl. Blossoms form in clusters and exhibit colors including white, shades of pink, magenta, carmine, and red. The flower buds are frequently a darker, more intense color than the fully opened flower, creating a two-toned effect.
The leaves are simple, typically oval or ovate in shape, and possess finely serrated or sometimes lobed edges. While the most common summer color is green, numerous cultivars feature foliage that emerges purple or burgundy and retains that color. In autumn, the leaves of many varieties change to warm tones of golden yellow, orange, or bronze before dropping.
Defining Features: The Fruit
The characteristic separating a crab apple from a regular apple is the size of its fruit, which must measure two inches (five centimeters) or less in diameter. This small fruit, a type of pome, can be round, oval, or slightly pear-shaped. It ripens from late summer through mid-fall, displaying colors that include red, crimson, yellow, gold, russet, and orange.
Fruit persistence is a key trait in many ornamental varieties, meaning the small, firm fruit remains attached to the branches long after the leaves have fallen. This feature provides visual interest throughout the late fall and winter, contrasting against the snow or bare branches. While the fruit is generally tart, it is a food source for birds and wildlife during the colder months.