Rescue crabapple is hardy as far north as USDA Zone 2, which is averaging 10 to 20 degrees below zero in the dead of winter. Most people however use it for preserves and sauces, blended in with other apples it adds a nice accent to apple butters and apple sauce. They are acidicly juicy and crisp, if you like a tart fruit this is one you will enjoy. The pulpy flesh also varies in color with variegated striations of red and magenta running through it. The coloration of Red Veins is unique as it produces fruit in varying shades of red from ruby red to pinks and even golden. They have a wider range than many of their cousins being suited for USDA zones 4 to 10. Red Vein crabapples are a tad larger than most varieties, they are roughly 1 inch round. It is classified as an edible crabapple but is more suited for ornamental purposes. The biggest detraction from this cultivar is that although the fruit is edible, basically it sucks and is best left for the birds and tree rats. Its foliage is strikingly maroon to dark lavender, come Autumn it morphs to variant shades of auburn, orange, and red. Prairie Fire is another relatively new variety that can reach up to 20 feet in height but averages around 12 -15. The fruit is very small, sometimes berry sized, and will hang on the tree into midwinter if left unharvested.Įdible fresh or for preserving. The foliage is perhaps the reason this cultivar is so popular in the spring it has Leaves that have a purple tinge that offsets the rosy pink blooms. Purplish red fruit is ripe by early September into October. Spring Flowers are rosy pink and appear earlier than most varieties. It’s a Columnar Fruit Tree that grows very narrow and upright, making it an awesome addition to a patio or confined yard space. These apples can be eaten fresh but work best in preserves.īeing an older variety it is more susceptible to disease than young whippersnapper hybrids. Also produces vivid fall foliage as its dark green leaves turn a vibrant yellow. It produces aesthetically appealing blushes of pink flowers and delectable red fruits in early Autumn. Hopa crabapple is an old heirloom variety that reaches 20 to 25 feet in height. It is frequently paired with other fruits in preserves and sauces. It is fairly large as crabapple trees go reaching over 30 feet in height at times. 4. Dolgoĭolgo aka Dalgo crabapple serves well as an ornamental and edible fruit-producing tree. The crisp flesh is sweet with an earthy nut-like flavor. Introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1946, the 15 to 20-foot trees produce a yellow fruit with red highlights, some say a fruit with yellow blushes. It is also one of the few cultivars that are self-pollinating. 3. ChestnutĬhestnut Crabapple is frequently used as a pollinator for other apples. The crabapples are a fiery Orange Red with a moist and juicy white flesh. Sometimes used as a pollinator for other apple trees. 2. CentennialĬentennial produces high-quality fruit that is delicious fresh off the tree. It is best used for preserves and pastries where it works well due to its high pectin content. It produces such an abundance of fruit that the tree is weighed down and droops from the burgeoning weight.īutterball works exceptionally well as a pollinator for all apple varieties not only due to its abundance of flowers but the long duration of its flowering which goes on throughout the pollination season.īutterball can be eaten fresh, it is like eating a crunchy lime, yes, it is a tad sour. Pink blossoms drown out the delicate pale green foliage in spring and give way to golden yellow fruits with occasional hints of red-orange blushes in summer and early autumn. It is self-pollinating however pollination by another apple variety will maximize the yield. Butterballīutterball Crabapple is used largely as an ornamental but it does have edible qualities. This makes them excellent for preserves and even pickling.Ĭrabapple trees generally require pollen from another apple or crabapple tree to ensure fruit production, there are a few exceptions.Īmong edible crabapples Wickson, Chestnut and Whitney will produce fruit with only one tree. Most crabapples are also more acidic than standard apples and have elevated levels of pectin. Like apples, they do contain a natural form of cyanide, primarily in their seeds, but in order for these minute amounts to have any effect, you’d have to consume a few hundred pounds of crabapples, seeds and all. They are both edible, although crabapples got a bad rep due to the bitter and pithy taste of ornamental varieties commonly grown.Ĭontrary to urban legends and old wives’ tales crabapples are not toxic. An apple that’s over 2 inches round is considered an apple.Īpples smaller than two inches are considered crabapples. Crabapples and apples are the same species, but different cultivars.
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