Crab apple trees are ornamental trees popular for their stunning spring blossoms and colorful fruits. However, some homeowners may be hesitant to plant them due to concerns about messiness. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at whether crab apple trees are messy, what causes the mess, and how to manage it.
Characteristics of Crab Apple Trees
Crab apple trees are relatively small, typically reaching 15-25 feet tall at maturity. They have a rounded, spreading form with branches that are often covered in thorns. The leaves are a vibrant green color in spring and summer, turning yellow or orange in fall.
One of the most prized features of crab apples are the spring blooms that cover the tree in a spectacle of color. Flowers can be white, pink, or red depending on variety. They also give off a lovely fragrance.
Hundreds of cultivars exist, differing in bloom color, fruit characteristics, fall foliage, growth habit, and more. This allows you to select a variety tailored to your landscape needs.
Do Crab Apple Trees Produce Fruit Every Year?
Most crab apples fruit annually, though some may bear lighter crops in alternate years. The amount of fruit depends on the variety and growing conditions. Some cultivars reliably produce prolific crops each year, while others fruit more sparsely.
When Does Fruit Drop Occur?
Crab apples generally drop their fruit from late fall through early winter. The timing varies by variety and climate. Sometimes fruits persist on the tree all winter, providing food for wildlife.
What Causes the Mess?
The main culprits behind crab apple messiness are:
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Falling fruit: As fruits mature and ripen, they drop from the tree. This can litter the ground beneath the canopy.
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Flower petal drop Crab apple blooms heavily in spring. Once flowers fade the petals fall and can carpet the area under the tree.
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Leaf litter Like any deciduous tree crab apples shed their leaves in autumn. This can create mounds of leaves to clean up.
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Dead branches/twigs: Storms and high winds cause crab apple branches and twigs to break and drop.
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Diseases: Susceptible varieties may prematurely drop leaves or branches due to disease.
How Much of a Nuisance is the Mess?
The amount of mess depends on the crab apple variety, its health, and placement:
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Prolific fruiting varieties create more cleanup from fallen fruits, Alternate-bearing or sparse-fruiting kinds produce less fruit litter,
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Trees prone to diseases like apple scab drop more debris. Disease-resistant selections are cleaner.
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Proper placement away from walkways and drives reduces nuisance. Crab apples surrounded by ground covers or mulch are easier to maintain.
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Neglected, overgrown trees drop more debris than well-pruned ones with open structure and air circulation.
Tips for Minimizing Mess
With smart variety selection and proper care, crab apple mess can be minimized:
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Choose non-fruiting or sparse-fruiting varieties like ‘Spring Snow’ to avoid heavy fruit drop.
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Select disease-resistant cultivars to reduce premature leaf and branch shed.
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Situate trees away from high-traffic areas so fallen fruits/flowers aren’t underfoot.
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Use mulch or ground covers under trees to facilitate cleaning up debris.
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Prune regularly to remove dead wood and promote tree health.
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Rake up fallen fruit before it rots or gets mushy. Compost debris.
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Blow or sweep away flower petals on walkways and drives.
With proper planning and care, crab apple beauty can be enjoyed without sacrificing landscape cleanliness. While they do require some maintenance, you can minimize mess by following these simple guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are crabapples edible?
Crabapples are edible, though often too tart to eat fresh. Their juice can be used to make jellies, jams, cider, and more. Avoid eating the seeds, as they contain small amounts of cyanide-producing compounds.
How long do crabapple trees live?
With proper care, crabapples can live over 100 years. Typical lifespan ranges from 20-40 years. Older trees become more prone to disease and structural defects.
What is the best time to prune crabapple trees?
Prune crabapples in late winter or very early spring before buds start swelling. Avoid pruning in fall or early winter, as this can increase susceptibility to certain diseases.
How fast do crabapple trees grow?
Growth rate depends on variety, but most increase in height by around 1-2 feet per year when young. They reach mature size in 10-15 years generally. Growth slows down significantly as trees age.
Do deer eat crabapples?
Deer relish crabapples. The fruits provide a high-energy food source that deer seek out in late summer and fall. Deer browsing on twigs and bark is also common and can damage young trees. Protective fencing helps prevent deer damage.
Foundation Planting & Care for Spring Snow Flowering Crabapple Tree
- The Spring Snow Crabapple is best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, acidic loams in full sun.
- This flowering crabapple tree adapts to a wide range of soils.
- Established trees have some drought tolerance.
- Plant as a specimen/accent or in small groups.
- Plant your Spring Snow tree in spring or fall.
- Be sure to space plants 10 to 20 feet apart, depending on the expected mature size of the variety.
- For the best results, plant Spring Snow crabapple trees as a focal point in your landscape. Their white blooms and attractive form make them an exceptional choice for any garden.
- Bare root: Cut open the bundle (the top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak the roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to the sun. They should never dry out. Keep the roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted.
- Grow bags: Remove the bag by using a utility knife to slit up the side and peel off the fabric exposing the soil and roots.
- B&B: Soak the root ball very well.
- Plant Bare root in spring. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable; you’re good to go. If a hard frost is expected, be sure to hold off on planting.
- Dig a hole at least 6″ wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than the ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
- Trim off the broken roots and branches.
- Place fertilizer packets in the hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until the soil settles completely, saturating the soil and planting pit.
- Re-adjust the Spring Snow Crabapple tree and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
- Backfill the balance of the well drained soil and water well.
- Plant grow bags in spring or fall.
- Plant the root ball just like you would a container plant. Roots need not be trimmed for growing bags.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball to expose the root flare.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
- Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable; you’re good to go. If a hard frost is expected, be sure to hold off on planting.
- Dig a hole at least 6″ wider and no more profound than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball to expose the root flare.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and thoroughly saturate the soil with water.
- Cut and remove twine once the Spring Snow Crabapple tree is straight and located as desired. Then, remove or bend the top of the metal basket. Lastly, remove the exposed burlap from the top of the ball.
- Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let settle.
- The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
- Bare root: Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure success. Pruning should occur before or as soon after planting as possible, and it should be done with sharp pruning shears.
- B&B & grow bags: Although it is not essential for B&B or grow bags to be pruned after planting, light pruning for shape, to remove any broken branches from shipping, or to thin out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and in the appearance of your new planting.
- Although some Crabapple tree flowers may be lost, it is best to prune this tree as needed in late winter. Spring pruning should be avoided as it produces fresh, open cuts where fireblight bacterium can enter.
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2 to 4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the 6-week establishment period, water is used once per week unless rain occurs.
- Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
- After the first season, ornamental trees should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.