Crabapple

As angiosperms, crabapples belong to a large group of plants that produce flowers and fruits. This tree has eye-catching white, red, or pink blossoms during the spring season. We admire the tree for its lush blooms of flowers that also attract bees, who visit the tree for the nectar and in exchange, help to deliver pollen from one tree to the next. This species of tree relies on the bees because it is not able to self-fertilize. 

In many seasons, you will be able to see the crabapple fruit hanging on the tree. Fruits are typically yellow or red, and trees produce so many that they are often scattered across the ground. While the fruits are a beautiful ornamental feature, their abundance can become messy depending on where the tree is planted. Keep this in mind if you choose a crabapple tree for your garden. Crabapples are similar to the wild ancestors of domesticated apples, with similar sour tastes and sizes. You might try Googling a picture of a wild apple versus a crabapple to compare. Remember this fact the next time you are at a friend or family dinner, and surprise your loved ones with your knowledge of crabapples.

Like the domesticated apples that we eat, the seeds of crabapples, which are called pips, include compounds that contain cyanide. This is why we don’t eat the core of the seeds; a recommendation would be to remove the seeds and make a jam with the fruit instead! Crabapples are known for their high vitamin C content, which supports the immune system while also neutralizing acidity in people with gout or indigestion.

Though crabapples show many positive attributes, they have common diseases if not maintained correctly. The most prevalent disease is cedar-apple rust, which happens when juniper and red cedar trees grow too close to a crabapple tree, and as a result, yellow-orange spots appear on the leaves. The brilliance of these colors gives the “rust” effect of the disease as it also contrasts with the natural green to dark green colors of the leaves. Other diseases that this tree could experience include cedar-hawthorn rust, scab, and fire blight. If you are interested, make sure to look up what happens in these different diseases.

We appreciate you taking the time to learn about the trees on campus – and plants in general. If you want to learn more about crabapples, there are some resources linked below for you. In the meantime, please continue to learn more about the Rosaceae family around campus – there is a pear tree just a few steps down this path. Have a lovely day.

These resources are a product of Dr. Sara Wright’s Plant Diversity course in the Biological Sciences Department. My name is Lornelle Mendoza, and I will earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Biological and Biomedical Sciences in 2022. I plan to pursue a career in health professions. You can read more about me and the Crabapple tree below.