Growth form: The Crap Apple Tree is a small, deciduous tree or shrub that ranges from 15 to 30 feet in height. The genus name is an ancient Latin name for apple.
Leaves, twigs, and bark: Leaves of the Crab Apple Tree are simple and alternate. The shape of the leaves range from ovate to eliptical-oblong. Margins of the leaf are finely serrated to toothed. Leaf color ranges from a dark olive-green shade in the winter to a yellow shade in the Fall. The branches of a Crab Apple Tree form a broad, open crown. The trunk is short and typically rigid and twigs are brown to gray and smooth to the touch.
Leaves of a Crab Apple Tree. Leaves seen in Winter when they are a shade of olive-green to brown. (Photo by Kacee L. Ferrell on October 24th, 2019.)
Crab Apple Tree #135. Located in front of Muse Hall in a group of eight. (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019).
Flowers: The Crab Apple Tree blooms in the Spring to form slightly-fragrant deep-pink to crimson red flowers. Flowers are followed by small fruit seen as small apples. The fruits of The Crab Apple are attractive to birds. The flower itself typically consists of 5 petals. Both sexes also present in the same flower, making it bisexual.
Dark pink to crimson red flowers of the Crab Apple Tree (Kendal Crosslands Arboretum, 2019.)
Fruits: These crimson red blossoms once pollinated form into shiny red apples. These apples are small in size and less than 2 inches in diameter.
Clusters of mature fruit on Crab Apple Tree . (Kendal Crosslands Arboretum, 2019.)
Native range and habitat: Crab Apple trees vary in range and habitat depending upon species. The Malus genera ranges from Europe, Asia, and North America. Crab Apple Trees are best grown in moderately moist and well drained areas with full sun. It can adapt to a range of soils and have some drought tolerance.
Overall Crab Apple Tree in bloom. (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2019.)
Plant Family: The Crab Apple Tree is a member of Rosaceae, otherwise known as the Rose family. It's medium sized flowers and fruit make it similar to other members of the Rose family.
Ecologic Importance and Uses:
Edible and Medicinal Uses: Can be used as an antibiotic and also for indigestion, dysentery, and diarrhea.
Wildlife: Crab Apple Trees provide cover and quality fruit for birds and mammals. However, the trunk is easily destroyed by rodents by girdling the stem or trunk of the tree.
Gardens and Landscaping: The Crab Apple Tree is used for general ornamental landscape use. The crimson red blossoms make for a beautiful tree. It also provides as a good shade tree.
Campus Specimens - Crab Apple Trees
State and national champions: When referencing the Southern Crab Apple Tree, the largest in the state of Virginia is found in Brunswick, Va with a total tree points score of 60. On the National level, the Southern Crab Apple found in Montgomery, MD reigns in with a total tree point score of 167.
At Radford University, Eight Crab Apple Trees can be found in front of Muse Hall and The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences. (Shown in the photo below)
Tree #135
Trunk circumference: 36.0 inches
Tree height: 33.0 feet
Crown spread: 31.7 feet x 29.5 feet Average = 30.6 feet
Total points: 76.7
Crab Apple Tree #135 (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019).
Tree #136
Trunk circumference: 38.0 inches
Tree height: 33.0 feet
Crown spread: 37.0 feet x 33.7 feet Average crown spread = 35.35 feet
Total points: 79.8
Crab Apple Tree #136 (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019).
Tree #138
Trunk circumference: 40.0 inches
Tree height: 42.0 feet
Crown spread: 32.7 feet x 30.3 feet Average crown spread = 31.5 feet
Total points: 89.9
Crab Apple Tree #138 (Photo taken by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Leaves from Crab Apple Tree #138. (Photo by Kacee L. Ferrell on October 24, 2019.)
Tree #139
Trunk circumference: 43.0 inches
Tree height: 47.0 feet
Crown spread: 31.3 feet x 29.6 feet Average crown spread = 30.45 feet
Total points: 97.6
Crab Apple Tree #139 (Photo taken by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Branch from Crab Apple Tree #139. (Photo taken by Kacee L. Ferrell on October 24th, 2019.)
Tree # 143
Trunk circumference: 43.0 inches
Tree height: 41.0 feet
Crown spread: 33.2 feet x 31.5 feet Average crown spread = 32.35 feet
Total points: 92.1
Crab Apple Tree #143 (Photo taken by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
References
Elpel, T. J. (2018). Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification, Edition 6.1. Hops Press, Pony, MT.