Part of the
You Can Learn Landscaping and Gardening series.
By Ken Brown
Editor, You Can Learn Series
Updated: June 18, 2008
Are you looking for some color and fragrance in early spring? Then the Flowering
Crabapple tree may be right for you. This tree makes an excellent
specimen plant. You can get cultivars that produce small fruit that won't mess
up your yard. Today's crabapple trees come with more disease resistance. This
plant is cherished for the abundant flowers produced in spring time. They bloom
about the same time as
Rhododendrons.
Where can you place the crabapple tree? You can use it as a specimen plant, use
them next to your home, or along borders. Many times you will see them in
commercial settings around small buildings. If you place it next to your home,
then be sure and give it room to grow or be willing to trim each year to keep
it from rubbing against the house. Trim in spring immediately after the blooms
have expired.
Flowering Crabapple Tree Produces Small Fruit
Now notice that the plant is named crabapple. This means the tree creates small
little apples each year. As you look for a tree to purchase find out how big
the fruit becomes. We have two flowering crabapples in our yard and the fruit
is about the size of a large pea. They never become a problem. The trees
provide shelter in winter for the birds. When food is scarce during the harsh
northern Illinois winters, the birds welcome the little apples. There are some
cultivars that produce large fruit ranging in color from red to yellow.
Today tree producers are working hard to produce crabapple trees that are
disease resistant. Some of the diseases and pests to watch for include: apple
scab, cedar-apple rust, flat headed apple borers, scales and aphids. Find out
if you have a disease resistant variety, if not then you are going to want to
spray in spring to reduce the effect disease might have on the plant.
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