Crab Apple

Used primarily for landscape plantings, shelterbelts and for wildlife, Crab Apples include about 25 species of deciduous or rarely half-evergreen trees or shrubs. The fruit is enjoyed by songbirds and upland game, and can be used for making jellies and spiced apples. With slim branches standing upright, Crab Apples also have lovely flowers that vary in color from white to pink, to even deep red. The apples themselves are either red or yellow and vary in size from ¼ inch diameter to up to ¾ inch. Rabbits may damage or kill young plants so if the rabbit population is high, some protection is recommended. Diseases to watch out for include fireblight, apple scab, frogeye leaf spot, and black rot. Pests also include fall webworm cankerworms, and apple maggot.