Crabapple, Red Flowering

Native Geographic Range, Habitat, Climate, Unique Features & Ecosystem Services

Crabapple trees originated in major mountain ranges in Asia, specifically, the modern-day Kazakhstan region. However, these trees were likely vastly different from the crabapples we see today, as the original ones were transported along the silk road, and then into locations such as North America, where crossbreeding spurred the development of over 800 distinct species (Yale). Currently, the crabapple exists in nearly all temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere and can exist in a myriad of climate varieties, in USDA climate zones 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, and 8a (NC State University. (n.d.)). This means existence for the crabapple is possible with full-sun to partial-shade; clay, loam, sand, or combination soil; moist to occasionally-dry soil watering conditions; and coastal to mountainous regions (NC State University. (n.d.)).

The crabapple is unique in that it produces a beautiful, pink flower in the spring which, if pollinated, will become a small, tart pome-fruit by fall. These fruits are not commonly consumed raw by humans because of their sourness, but are edible and can be made into jams, baked into pies, or used in other recipes where the tartness is compensated with by sugar. Additionally, the harvesting of the wood of crabapple trees is common for use as a sweet smoking wood for barbecues (Yale). Additionally, the fruit from the crabapple tree is an important food resource for species such as songbirds and small mammals. Because of its wide usage in Northern America, there is no one species in particular which depends on the tree, as the species which eat its fruits varies by location (Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest).

The crabapple tree provides several ecosystem services. It provides food and shelter for wildlife, is an effective water-purifying tree, and is highly effective at absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (American Forests).

History

The crabapple tree originated in Central Asia, but several species are considered native to the Pacific Northwest region (Larson, R. (n.d.)). Crabapple species are popular in the Pacific Northwest in use as residential/urban trees because of their generally low height (don’t compete with power lines), hardiness, and ease of ability to train limb growth (Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest). The crabapple was likely brought to Boise as either a food source early on, or later as a tree specifically for decorative purposes. Unfortunately, this history is not well-documented, partially due to the native origin of some variants. Today, the tree is widely available in plant nurseries around the Treasure Valley.

Cultural/Social/Economic Values

Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest would consume fruit from crabapple trees after drying it in the sun or storing it underground for the winter (which would sweeten the fruit). They would also boil the crabapple tree wood for medicinal purposes, use the wood to make tools, and boil the bark to make a yellow dye (American Crabapple). Today, the fruit is primarily used for jellies, preserves, pies, and ciders, and the wood is used primarily as a flavor component when smoking food on a barbecue (American Crabapple).

Specific information was not available on statistics such as carbon sequestration, shade, or property value, as it varies greatly for this tree based on its size and health; and because there are so many varieties of the crabapple, there wasn't information specific only to the red flowering crabapple.

Tree Management

Currently, the only two major threats to the crabapple tree are apple scab and fireblight (Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest). Apple scab is a fungus that infects the leaves and the fruits of the tree, causing early leaf-dieoff. Over many years, this can weaken and kill the tree, but it can be treated by application of fungicides (Koetter, R., & Grabowski, M. (n.d.)). Fireblight is a disease that causes branch-bases to become water-soaked, then dry and cracked. Dead leaves and fruit won’t fall off the tree, and young twigs/branches will die. The only way to get rid of the disease is to cut diseased branches off the tree (Martinez, A., & Daly, T.).

The crabapple tree is not protected or widely regulated in the United States.

Sources

American Crabapple. (n.d.). Reading. 

American Forests. (2018, September 7). Oregon Crab Apple (Malus Fusca). CHAMPION TREE NATIONAL REGISTER. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/oregon-crab-apple-malus-fusca/.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. (n.d.). Red Splendor Crabapple. Bernheim Select Urban Trees. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://bernheim.org/learn/trees-plants/bernheim-select-urban-trees/red-splendor-crabapple/

Chamberlain, K. (n.d.). Royal Raindrops. OARDC’s Crabapple Blossoms Are Peaking. Ohio State University. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/oardc%E2%80%99s-crabapple-blossoms-are-peaking. 

Garden Design. (n.d.). Malus 'Profusion'. CRABAPPLE TREES: GROWING, CARE AND DESIGN TIPS. photograph. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.gardendesign.com/trees/crabapple.html.

Koetter, R., & Grabowski, M. (n.d.). Apple Scab of Apples and Crabapples. University of Minnesota Extension. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab.

Larson, R. (n.d.). October 2018 Plant Profile: Malus Fusca. University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/blog/2018/10/03/oct18-malus-fusca/.

Mackie, J. (n.d.). Adironack Crab Apple. 13 of the Most Colorful Crabapple Trees for Your Yard. photograph, Meredith Home Group. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/trees/best-crabapples-for-your-yard/?slide=slide_11b45980-0153-4837-844a-a74a9225df67#slide_11b45980-0153-4837-844a-a74a9225df67.

Martinez, A., & Daly, T. (2006, June 1). Common Landscape Diseases in Georgia. University of Georgia Extension. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C871&title=Fireblight%3A+Symptoms%2C+Causes%2C+and+Treatment.

NC State University. (n.d.). Malus Coronaria. Malus coronaria (American Crabapple, Garland Crab, Sweet Crabapple, Wild Crabapple) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/malus-coronaria/.

Red Planet Inc. (n.d.). Purple Prince Crabapple. Purple Prince Crab – Malus 'Purple Prince'. photograph. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from http://www.cirrusimage.com/tree_Purple_Prince_Crabapple.htm.

United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Natural Range of Crabapple Distribution. United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Plants. map. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://plants.usda.gov/home/basicSearchResults?resultId=f3594023-234c-4c00-a601-9dab61a02d91.

Yale. (2015, February 3). Crabapple Tree. Yale Nature Walk. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://naturewalk.yale.edu/trees/rosaceae/malus-x/crabapple-tree-32.