Apple

Scientific Name: Malus Mill.

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Rosales / Rosaceae / Malus Mill./ Malus Mill.

Apple
General Information
Usda SymbolMALUS
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsShrubTree,
Native LocationsMALUS

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Apple is planted.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Crabapples are used primarily in landscape plantings, in shelterbelts, and for wildlife benefits. The fruit is eaten by songbirds and upland game, and can be used for making jellies and spiced apples.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e,g, threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values), , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Apple.

Description

Crabapples (Malus species) include about 25 species of deciduous or rarely half-evergreen trees or shrubs native to the temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They vary from a large shrub-like plant, 6 to 8 feet, to a medium tree, 15 to 35 feet. The branches are slender and upright. Flowers are showy and vary in color from white to pink to deep red. Blooms appear from mid April to early June depending on location. The apples produced are either red or yellow and vary in size from 1/4 inch diameter up to 3/4 inch. Malus mandshurica (Maxim.) Kom., Siberian crabapple, is a tall, spreading species, 25 to 35 feet in height, best suited to large, open areas. Profuse, fragrant flowers appear in May. The fruit, which can range in color from red to yellow, ripens from August to November. This species is often used in beach gardens which offer some protection from salt and wind. Malus coronaria (L.) P. Mill., sweet crab, grows upright to as a shrub 15 to 25 feet tall, with pink flowers which appear in mid-March. The large fruit is used as a main wildlife food. Malus floribunda Sieb. ex Van Houtte, Japanese flowering crab, reaches a mature height of 20 to 25 feet and blooms heavily in May. The blooms are deep pink, fading to white. The red and yellow fruit stays on the branches into the winter, providing a food source for wildlife. Malus sargeniti Rehd., Sargent crab, is a bushy, densely branched shrub, usually twice as wide as it is tall. Its white flowers bloom profusely in mid May and are followed by deep red fruit, which remains on the branches until December. In addition to the general uses listed above, Sargent crab can be effectively used as a pruned hedge. USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, MD Malus sieboldii (Regel) Rehd., toringa crab, ranges in size from a shrub to a small tree. Its flowers are white and single, and its reddish-yellow fruit hangs in clusters from the branches.

Adaptation

Crabapples can be grown on medium to heavy soils that are somewhat poorly to well drained. The pH should be 5.5 or higher. Full sun is preferred for best performance, but they will tolerate light shade. Crabapples is distributed throughout the majority of the United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

Crabapples, like other trees and shrubs should not be planted into living sod. The site should be prepared a year ahead so that early spring plantings can be made into weed free locations that are two feet larger in radius than the seedlings. Nursery seedlings of the species discussed above should be planted as early in the spring as possible. Grafted varieties are usually purchased as container plants. When planted, the graft must be above ground. Do not fertilize during the establishment year. Prune off all side branches that are not desired for permanent limbs, and provide protection from rabbits and deer in high population areas. In hedgerows, space the plants 10 feet apart for ‘Roselow’ and 15-20 feet apart for ‘Midwest’. Plant at least 10 feet away from buildings. Mulching with hay, wood shavings, grass clippings, etc. will help maintain moisture and control weeds.

Management

Weeds must be controlled for the first 2 years if plants are to survive. The application of fertilizer is not recommended at the time of establishment. The size and shape of the tree can be managed by pruning. Prune all branches that form sharp angles with the trunk, and remove all side branches except those desired for permanent limbs. Once crabapples become well established, little care is required.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-78
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredYes
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum100
Hedge ToleranceMedium
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum7.5
pH, Minimum5.0
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim1200
Planting Density per Acre, Minim300
Precipitation, Maximum55
Precipitation, Minimum33
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)30
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

BloatNone
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialYes
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ConspicuousYes
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureCoarse
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanLong
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)30.0
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee30
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Fruit/Seed ColorRed


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateNone
Seed per Pound20000
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodMid Spring
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by ContainerYes


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fuelwood ProductMedium
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Apple

Apple

Apple

Apple

Apple

Apple

Apple

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