9/21/2023 0 Comments Crab apple color![]() ![]() When purchasing crab apples avoid inferior older cultivars that are not resistant to many diseases and blights. Less of a threat is powdery mildew is a white fungus that attacks leaves, flowers, and fruits during warm, humid weather and is unsightly.Īvoid older cultivars when buying new crab apples Cedar-apple rust is a fungus that creates rusty, corky spots on leaves and, if serious, can defoliate the tree. Fire blight is a bacterium that turns twigs and branches black, eventually killing the tree. There are four diseases that pose a serious threat to crab apples: apple scab, a fungus characterized by black sooty spots or leaves and corky spots on fruits. Understanding their limitations, these plants are perfectly acceptable in many landscape situations. Many crabapples that have varying degrees of susceptibility to disease, could still possess enough merit in the form of flowering characteristics, growth pattern, and shape. This does not mean that other cultivars should not be used. Disease tolerance implies the plant may be affected by certain diseases but are of little health significance to the plant.įew crabapples possess all desirable characteristics of exquisite flowers, fruit, foliage, growth habit, and disease resistance. Disease resistance involves genetic resistance to infection by disease causing organisms. ![]() Many of the newer flowering crabapples are disease resistant or tolerant. As a result, the next year's floral and fruit display will likely be diminished. However, the trees will use most of their carbohydrates to merely exist and survive. If crabapples are not watered during periods of drought they will not collapse and die. In a drought situation water thoroughly and deeply every 2 - 3 weeks depending on the soil type and drought severity. If trees are well established after the first year, little additional watering is needed unless drought conditions prevail. ![]() Watering Requirements for Flowering Crabapples Pruning after July will reduce floral display and fruiting for the following year. By mid-June to early July, flower buds for the next season are beginning to form in most crabapples. Pruning should be completed before early June. Sometimes on dense growing crabapples, it's necessary to prune the center of the plant to allow additional sunlight and air movement. Rapidly growing shoots from branches, called water sprouts, rapidly growing shoots from roots or the base of the tree, called suckers, dead, diseased, damaged, and crossing branches should all be removed. Pruning Crabapple TreesĬrabapples require little pruning other than to keep it in shape or from interfering with other landscape specimens. If fertilizer is suggested, apply 2 - 3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of root zone area.Įxample a bagged fertilizer with an analysis of 20-5-10 (Nitrogen - Phosphorus - Potassium) apply 2 pounds nitrogen per 1,000 square feet which translates into 10 pounds of the 20-5-10 fertilizer spread beneath the trees over an area measuring 31.5' x 31.5' or its equivalent. If you note that annual growth is less than 5" - 6" or leaves are small or pale green, then supplemental fertilizer is required. However, extensive breeding and evaluation projects have resulted in numerous selections that are resistant to these problems.Ĭrabapple Maintenance Fertilizer RequirementsĬrabapples planted in average fertility soils and provided moderate amounts of organic matter need little additional fertilizer the first year. In some cases, crabapples have developed a poor reputation as a result of disease problems (scab, mildew, and fire blight) as well as susceptibility to certain insect pests such as Japanese beetle. The varieties vary from weeping, spreading, columnar, vase-shaped to pyramidal which allows many opportunities for use in landscapes. Tree height may be from 6' - 50' with most in the 15' to 25' range. Asian crab apple specimens are usually preferred for ornament because their fruits are more colorful and last into the winter providing food for over-wintering birds.Ĭrab apples are most popular of the spring-flowering trees in the North and Midwest where cold winters and heavy soil prevent other spring bloomers from performing well. They typically begin blooming before the leaves unfold and are later joined by the young greenery.īlossoms often open from pink or red buds and change to paler shades after opening, creating a beautiful pink cloud lasting several weeks. There are over 35 species and 700 cultivated varieties of crabapples and have been a part of the home landscape for many years.īoth apple trees and crab apples have clustered, five-petaled blossoms with 15 to 20 yellow stamens in the center. Few ornamental trees offer the variety of tree shapes, sizes, flower colors and ornamental fruit as flowering crabapples. ![]()
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