Apple
Scientific Name: Malus Mill.
General Information | |
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Usda Symbol | MALUS |
Group | Dicot |
Life Cycle | Perennial |
Growth Habits | ShrubTree, |
Native Locations | MALUS |
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 |
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Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | No |
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
Anaerobic Tolerance | None |
CaCO3 Tolerance | Medium |
Cold Stratification Required | Yes |
Drought Tolerance | Medium |
Fertility Requirement | Medium |
Fire Tolerance | Medium |
Frost Free Days, Minimum | 100 |
Hedge Tolerance | Medium |
Moisture Use | Medium |
pH, Maximum | 7.5 |
pH, Minimum | 5.0 |
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 1200 |
Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 300 |
Precipitation, Maximum | 55 |
Precipitation, Minimum | 33 |
Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 30 |
Salinity Tolerance | None |
Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
Bloat | None |
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Toxicity | None |
Resprout Ability | No |
Shape and Orientation | Erect |
Active Growth Period | Spring and Summer |
C:N Ratio | Medium |
Coppice Potential | Yes |
Fall Conspicuous | Yes |
Fire Resistant | No |
Flower Color | Purple |
Flower Conspicuous | Yes |
Foliage Color | Green |
Foliage Porosity Summer | Dense |
Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
Foliage Texture | Coarse |
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | Yes |
Nitrogen Fixation | None |
Low Growing Grass | No |
Lifespan | Long |
Leaf Retention | No |
Known Allelopath | No |
Height, Mature (feet) | 30.0 |
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee | 30 |
Growth Rate | Moderate |
Growth Form | Multiple Stem |
Fruit/Seed Color | Red |
Reproduction
Vegetative Spread Rate | None |
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Small Grain | No |
Seedling Vigor | Medium |
Seed Spread Rate | None |
Seed per Pound | 20000 |
Fruit/Seed Persistence | Yes |
Propagated by Tubers | No |
Propagated by Sprigs | No |
Propagated by Sod | No |
Propagated by Seed | Yes |
Propagated by Corm | No |
Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Bloom Period | Mid Spring |
Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
Propagated by Bulb | No |
Propagated by Container | Yes |
Suitability/Use
Veneer Product | No |
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Pulpwood Product | No |
Protein Potential | Low |
Post Product | No |
Palatable Human | No |
Palatable Graze Animal | Low |
Palatable Browse Animal | Medium |
Nursery Stock Product | Yes |
Naval Store Product | No |
Lumber Product | No |
Fuelwood Product | Medium |
Fodder Product | No |
Christmas Tree Product | No |
Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |