Crab apples are small, ornamental fruit trees belonging to the Malus genus, the same as common apples. They are admired for their visual appeal year-round, from vibrant spring blossoms to colorful autumn fruits. This article details their distinct features, including the fruit, tree, and flowers.
The Distinctive Crab Apple Fruit
The most defining characteristic of a crab apple is its fruit, which typically measures 2 inches (5 cm) or less in diameter. While standard apples are larger, crab apples are miniature versions, often resembling cherries due to their size. The fruit displays a wide range of colors, including shades of red, yellow, orange, and green, or combinations thereof, often with a blush.
Their shape is usually round, though some varieties can be slightly oval or pear-shaped. The skin is commonly smooth and sometimes has a waxy feel. A notable visual detail is the persistent calyx, the dried remnant of the flower, often visible at the bottom of the fruit. Crab apples mature in late summer to mid-fall.
The Crab Apple Tree and Its Flowers
Crab apple trees are generally small to medium-sized, with a mature height often ranging from 12 to 25 feet (3.6 to 7.6 meters), though some can resemble large shrubs or reach up to 40 feet (12 meters). They exhibit various growth habits, including upright, rounded, spreading, vase-shaped, columnar, or weeping forms. The bark of mature trees is typically grayish-brown, often developing a textured appearance with fissures or scaly ridges.
The leaves are deciduous, usually oval with serrated edges, and measure between 1 and 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) long. While most have green foliage, some cultivars feature reddish or purplish leaves, particularly when they first emerge. In spring, crab apple trees produce abundant, often fragrant, flowers. These blossoms typically have five petals and come in a spectrum of colors, including white, various shades of pink, red, and magenta. Flower forms can be single, semi-double, or double.
Visual Differences Among Common Varieties
The appearance of crab apples varies significantly across cultivated varieties. Fruit color, for instance, ranges from the bright red of varieties like ‘Donald Wyman’ to the golden yellow of ‘Harvest Gold’ or ‘Cinderella’. The persistence of fruit on the tree also differs, with some varieties retaining their colorful fruit into winter, while others drop their fruit earlier in the fall.
Flower color presents another area of diversity; some cultivars, like ‘Prairifire’, boast deep pink or reddish blooms, contrasting with the pure white flowers of ‘Sugar Tyme’. Tree form is also highly variable, encompassing weeping types such as ‘Red Jade’, upright columnar forms like ‘Adirondack’, and broad, spreading habits. Additionally, leaf color can distinguish varieties, with some maintaining green foliage throughout the growing season, while others, like ‘Royal Raindrops’, display bronze or purple hues. These variations allow for diverse aesthetic choices.