Malus angustifolia ~ Southern Crabapple

Malus angustifolia ~ Southern CrabappleSouthern Crabapple trees typically reach a height of 15 to 30 feet (4. 5 to 9 meters) and have a rounded or irregular crown. The leaves are simple, alternate, and have a serrated edge. They are typically dark green in color and turn yellow or reddish in the fall. The tree produces small, fragrant white or pink flowers in the spring, followed by small, round fruit that is about 1 2 inch in diameter. The fruit is usually green or yellow and can persist

1. Southern Crabapple trees typically reach a height of 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters) and have a rounded or irregular crown. The leaves are simple, alternate, and have a serrated edge. They are typically dark green in color and turn yellow or reddish in the fall. The tree produces small, fragrant white or pink flowers in the spring, followed by small, round fruit that is about 1/2 inch in diameter. The fruit is usually green or yellow and can persist on the tree into the winter.

2. Habitat: Southern Crabapple trees are commonly found in wetland areas, such as swamps, floodplains, and along streams. They prefer moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade.

3. Wildlife Value: The fruit of the Southern Crabapple tree is an important food source for various wildlife species. Birds, such as cedar waxwings and robins, feed on the fruit, while deer and other mammals may browse on the twigs and foliage. The tree also provides cover and nesting sites for birds.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: High Maintenance.  Water Regularly.  Potential issues include apple scab, cedar apple rust, fire blight, leaf spot and and powdery mildew.  Possible pests are aphids, maggots, boreres, and spider mites.  Most commercially available Apples are grafted onto their rootstock, resulting in dwarf (8-10ft), Semi-dwarf (12-15ft) or standard tree heights all with full sized fruits.  Ask the provider the rootstock classification for estimated size. Dwarf stock is easier to maintain and produces fruit at an earlier age.
LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Wildlife Gardens, Shade Tree, Edible Garden, and Container.

COMPANION PLANTS: Apple, Shasta Daisy, Bugleweed

IMAGES: Famartin, 2020-03-30 14 38 15 A crabapple with light pink flowers along Dairy Lou Drive in the Franklin Farm section of Oak Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia, CC BY-SA 4.0, (2) Famartin, 2020-03-30 14 38 23 Light pink flowers on a crabapple along Dairy Lou Drive in the Franklin Farm section of Oak Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia, CC BY-SA 4.0, (3) Famartin, 2020-03-30 14 38 32 Light pink flowers on a crabapple along Dairy Lou Drive in the Franklin Farm section of Oak Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia, CC BY-SA 4.0, (4) Famartin, 2015-03-27 16 05 32 Crabapple beginning to green up at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada, CC BY-SA 4.0, (5) Soghomon Matevosyan, .Ծաղիկ 252, CC BY-SA 4.0

* As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.