There are no other trees that I know of that offer so much beauty throughout the year as crabapples—they really are a tree for all seasons.
Each spring their fat buds explode into a cloud of fragrant blossoms. When the petals finally start to fade and a breeze comes along, it looks like it’s been snowing out in the garden. By June, the branches are covered in miniature fruit that is perfect for incorporating into arrangements or just admiring in place.
As summer fades, their fruit begins to transform, and with fall’s arrival, their foliage becomes a kaleidoscope of colors. In the winter months, their bare skeletons offer a striking beauty and their remaining fruit provides food for wildlife and songbirds during the coldest time of the year.
Every season my love for them grows, and I plant as many new varieties as I can possibly find here on the farm. We now have more than 94 cultivars spanning nearly 300 trees! If you’d like the full list of our collection (which also includes sources), scroll to the bottom of this post and enter your email address.
Most of our trees are still quite young so it’s hard to know which varieties will rise to the top just yet, both ornamentally and for culinary uses like cider, jelly, baking, and fresh eating. But as the trees mature, I’ll be sure to share more about my findings. Below you’ll find a few of my favorites so far.
‘Chestnut’Vigorous trees are healthy, fast growing, and early to flower. They produce small fruit (about the size of a golf ball) and are loved by everyone—especially the kids who visit the farm. Mild and slightly tart, the fruit is excellent fresh and tastes like applesauce. ‘Chestnut’ is one of the first crabapples to ripen.
‘Dolgo’We planted this gem about 15 years ago in our backyard and it continues to impress. The tree has a sprawling habit, with beautiful blush buds and creamy flowers in the spring. The oblong fruit ripens in August and has a wonderful flavor that is great both fresh and cooked.
‘Evereste’ (pictured above) If I could only grow one crabapple, this would be it! The trees are a nice manageable size, topping out at about 12 ft—ideal in a smaller garden. Every April they become a cloud of creamy, double, highly fragrant blooms that persist for weeks. Marble-sized fruit appears in June and begins to color up by July, transforming from green with a blush wash, to orange, and eventually ruby in autumn. I cut fruiting branches all season and tuck them into as many bouquets as I can. The best part is that the tiny apples are firmly attached and don’t fall off when handling. Fruit is very tart and slightly astringent but once fully ripe would be a great addition to sauce or cider.
‘Golden Hornet’I spent years trying to track this tree down and it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular variety in England. The trees are healthy and vigorous, and fruit at a very young age. The marble-sized apples are a glowing yellow and ripen very early in the season. So far I’ve only tasted them past their prime, when the flesh is mushy, but I’m guessing that if caught early they could be good for cooking.
‘Golden Raindrops’ (pictured above) One of the most beautiful crabapples we grow, this vigorous, healthy tree gets quite large and puts on an amazing show each spring. Branches are long and slender and grow horizontally, giving trees a very rounded shape. The last to flower, thousands of creamy star-shaped blooms burst into a fragrant cloud which the bees go absolutely mad for. You can literally hear the trees buzzing from across the garden. Their leaves are maple-shaped and turn bright gold in the autumn right before dropping to reveal the tiny yellow bead-sized fruit decorating each branch. They aren’t really edible (too small and sour) but the wildlife just love them, especially songbirds.
‘Puget Spice’ (pictured above) This variety was bred right here in Washington at Washington State University and scores extremely high on disease resistance. The compact trees have a very conical, upright growth habit making them a great choice as a street tree or where space is limited. It’s one of the latest to flower for us and is covered in beautiful soft pink blossoms that have a light scent. The fruit is a bit larger than a cherry and has a zingy, tart flavor that would be great in cider or jelly. We eat them fresh but prefer them cooked.
‘Sargent’One of the prettiest varieties that flowers each spring, these compact, well-behaved trees would be the perfect addition to a small yard. One of my favorites for cutting, the long slender branches are covered in tiny peachy-blush buds that open to miniature creamy blooms. Bees love it too! The cranberry-red fruit is small, ripens very early, and while not good for eating, the wildlife love it.
On our crabapple list, you’ll find a handful of very special Sweetmeat Crab™ varieties bred by Albert Etter at the turn of the century. These varieties are a class of small dessert/cider apples and are said to have “intense, robust flavor in a small package.”
When Albert died in 1950, his experimental apple orchard fell into decay and neglect until Ram and Marissa Fishman (owners of Greenmantle Nursery) went on a mission to save his trees and decades’ worth of breeding work. They offered Etter’s treasured trees, both his named and trial varieties, in their catalog for many years. Sadly, Ram passed away a few years ago and these trees were nearly lost again. Thankfully, Trees of Antiquity has added them to their offering to ensure they will survive for generations to come.
While I haven’t yet tasted these delightful varieties, I’ve spent almost a decade reading stories about them and patiently waiting for trees to become available. We now have 50 of Etter’s varieties (including both the Sweetmeat™ and red-fleshed Rosetta™ hybrids) in our very own orchard and I’ll share more about them once they set fruit.
Greenmantle Nursery has some wonderful posts on their website about Albert Etter that would make wonderful winter reading. If you read the series about Albert and his trees, you won’t be able to resist adding one of his varieties to your garden!
If you’d like to add crabapples to your garden or farm, here are some of our favorite sources for trees. Late fall to early winter are the best times to pre-order since you’ll find the largest selection. Bare root trees are shipped in early spring, sometime between March and May, depending on your location. Be sure to check with local nurseries too since many carry bare root fruit trees in the winter and they are much more affordable than potted trees.
Hey there, nature lovers and curious wanderers! Ever stumbled across a tree loaded with tiny, colorful fruits and wondered, “What the heck are these lil’ things?” Well, if you’re asking yourself, “what do crab apples look like,” you’ve come to the right spot. I’m here to spill the beans on these miniature marvels that ain’t quite like the apples you munch on from the store At first glance, crab apples might trick ya into thinking they’re oversized cherries or weird berries, but trust me, they’ve got a personality all their own. Stick with me, and I’ll paint ya a picture of these bite-sized wonders, plus a whole lot more.
Here at our lil’ blog corner, we’re all about digging into the quirky bits of nature, and crab apples are just the kinda oddball fruit to get excited over They’re small—think under 2 inches wide—come in a rainbow of colors like red, yellow, and green, and got a shape that screams “I’m an apple, just pint-sized!” Let’s dive deep into their looks, how to spot ‘em, and why they’re worth a second glance.
A Close-Up on Crab Apples: Size, Shape, and All That Jazz
So, what do crab apples look like, exactly? Picture this: you’re out in the backyard or strolling by a park, and you spot a tree with fruits so tiny they could fit in the palm of your hand. That’s the first clue. Crab apples are seriously small, usually no bigger than 2 inches across, sometimes even as teeny as half an inch. I’ve seen ‘em and thought, “Man, are these some kinda fancy berries?” But nope, they’re apples, just shrunk down to fun size.
- Size Matters: They’re way smaller than the regular apples you grab at the market. If a fruit’s over 2 inches, it ain’t a crab apple, plain and simple.
- Shape Vibes: They got that classic apple look—roundish with a plump base, a slight taper at the bottom, and often a lil’ dip at the top where the stem pops out. Kinda like a mini version of a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, just scaled down.
- Surface Deets: The skin can be smooth or a tad rough, depending on the variety, and sometimes you’ll see lil’ spots or streaks on ‘em, especially when they ripen up.
I remember the first time I spotted some in my grandma’s old yard—thought they was toys or somethin’! But nah, these are real-deal fruits, just not the kind you’d snack on straight off the branch (more on that sour surprise later)
A Rainbow of Colors: What Shades Do Crab Apples Rock?
One of the coolest things about crab apples is how they ain’t stuck to just one color. These lil’ guys come in a whole spectrum that’ll catch your eye faster than a shiny dime. Depending on the type and how ripe they are, here’s what you might see:
- Bright Red: Some varieties, especially the deeper ones, look like tiny rubies hanging off the tree. They’re bold and sassy, often the most bitter of the bunch.
- Golden Yellow: Others glow like lil’ suns, bright and cheerful. These can be a tad sweeter when ripe.
- Pale Green: You’ll find some that stay green even when ready to pick, givin’ off that classic “unripe apple” vibe, though they’re good to go.
- Mixed Tones: Don’t be shocked if you see crab apples with streaks or mottles of red, yellow, orange, and green all mashed up on one fruit. It’s like nature went wild with a paintbrush!
Walkin’ through a local park last fall, I saw a tree with crab apples in every dang color—reds, yellows, even some purplish ones. Made me stop and snap a pic, ‘cause it was just too pretty to pass by. So, if you’re out huntin’ for crab apples, look for those vibrant, tiny pops of color on a tree. They ain’t shy about standin’ out!
How to Know If You’ve Found Crab Apples: Tips to Identify ‘Em
Now that you got a mental image of what crab apples look like, let’s make sure you can pick ‘em out in the wild (or your backyard). They can trick ya if you ain’t payin’ attention, sometimes lookin’ like cherries or other small fruits. Here’s how to nail the ID:
- Check the Size: Like I said, under 2 inches is the golden rule. If it’s bigger, you’re probably lookin’ at a regular apple or somethin’ else entirely.
- Look at the Shape: That mini apple form—rounded with a lil’ dip at the top—is a dead giveaway. Cherries don’t got that taper, ya know?
- Spot the Tree: Crab apple trees are usually smaller than regular apple trees, toppin’ out at about 20 feet or less. They got greyish, rough bark that cracks as it ages, and the twigs can be gnarly or even spiny. Kinda looks “crabbed,” which might be where the name sneaked from.
- Leaf It to Me: The leaves are oval, glossy, and got rounded teeth along the edges. They’re a good clue if the fruit ain’t around.
In winter, when the fruits might be gone, peek at the buds on the branches. They got a short row of hairs on the edges of the scales—kinda weird, but it’s a solid hint you’re dealin’ with a crab apple tree. I’ve used that trick a time or two when scoutin’ out spots for fall foraging.
Are They Ripe? How to Tell When Crab Apples Are Ready
Alright, so you’ve found some crab apples, but are they good to pick? You don’t wanna grab ‘em too early ‘cause they’ll be hard as rocks and sour enough to make your face pucker worse than a lemon. Here’s how to check if they’re ripe and ready:
- Feel Test: Give ‘em a gentle squeeze. If they feel a bit soft and squishy, they’re likely ripe. If they’re solid, leave ‘em be for a bit longer.
- Seed Check: Cut one open (careful, don’t eat the core!). If the seeds inside are brown instead of white or green, that’s a green light—er, brown light, I guess.
- Taste Clue: A ripe crab apple will still be tart, but not so bitter it’s unbearable. Unripe ones? Good luck keepin’ a straight face after a bite!
Pro tip: Check the ground under the tree. Often, the ones that’ve fallen are ripe and ready to use. I’ve scooped up handfuls that way, savin’ myself the hassle of climbin’ or shakin’ branches. Just inspect ‘em for bruises or bugs before tossin’ ‘em in your bag.
Crab Apples vs. Regular Apples: What’s the Big Diff?
If you’re still wonderin’ how crab apples stack up against the apples we all know and love, lemme break it down. Sure, they’re cousins in the fruit fam, but they ain’t the same by a long shot. Here’s a quick comparison to clear things up:
| Feature | Crab Apples | Regular Apples |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Tiny, under 2 inches wide | Bigger, often 3 inches or more |
| Flavor | Super tart and sour, rarely sweet | Sweet and juicy, easy to eat raw |
| Flesh | Firmer, denser, holds shape when cooked | Softer, breaks down more in recipes |
| Seeds | More prominent, bigger in proportion | Smaller, less noticeable |
| Tree Height | Smaller trees, up to 20 feet max | Taller, often over 30 feet |
I’ve bitten into a crab apple thinkin’ it’d be like a regular one—big mistake, y’all. My mouth puckered up so fast I nearly spit it out! They just ain’t meant for casual snackin’ like a Honeycrisp. But that tartness? It’s gold in the right recipe, which I’ll get to in a sec.
The Crab Apple Tree: More Than Just Fruit
While we’re chattin’ about what crab apples look like, let’s give some love to the trees they grow on. These ain’t your towering orchard giants; crab apple trees got their own charm. They usually grow to about 10 meters—sorry, ‘bout 30 feet or less—in height, with a wide, spreadin’ canopy that looks all irregular and wild. The bark’s greyish-brown, often flecked or cracked, and the twigs can get all twisted and spiny, givin’ it a rugged, “crabby” look. Bet that’s where the name snuck in.
Come spring, these trees put on a show with sweetly scented blossoms that range from pure white to deep pink. Bees go nuts for ‘em, pollinatin’ like there’s no tomorrow. It’s a sight to see, and if you got one nearby, you’ll know why folks plant ‘em just for the pretty factor. I’ve sat under one during bloom time, just soakin’ in the smell—kinda like nature’s perfume, ya dig?
They thrive in heavy, moist soil that’s well-drained, often poppin’ up in scrub areas, hedges, or woodland edges across places like Europe. They’re tough lil’ buggers too, livin’ up to 100 years if the conditions are right. Some even host mistletoe or get covered in lichens, addin’ to their wild, ancient vibe.
Why Crab Apples Matter: Wildlife and Beyond
Here’s a neat tidbit: crab apples ain’t just eye candy. They’re a lifeline for wildlife. Birds like blackbirds and thrushes chow down on the fruit, while mammals—think mice, voles, even foxes—snag ‘em too. The leaves feed caterpillars of all sorts of moths, and those early spring flowers are a buffet for bees needin’ nectar. If you’re into helpin’ out nature, havin’ a crab apple tree around is like rollin’ out the welcome mat for critters.
Back in the day, folks tied crab apples to love and marriage in old myths. There’s this funky tradition where you’d toss the pips into a fire while sayin’ your sweetheart’s name—if they popped, your love was true. Ain’t that wild? I ain’t tried it myself, but it’s the kinda quirky lore that makes these fruits extra special.
Cookin’ Up a Storm: What to Do with Crab Apples
Now, I gotta warn ya—crab apples straight off the tree? They’re a sour punch to the face. Most folks, includin’ me, don’t eat ‘em raw unless it’s a sweeter variety, and even then, it’s a gamble. But cook ‘em up, and magic happens. Their tartness turns into somethin’ delightful when you add a bit of sugar or mix ‘em into recipes. Here’s some ideas to get ya started:
- Crab Apple Jelly: This is the big one. They’re packed with natural pectin, so they set into a gorgeous, jewel-toned jelly without much effort. Boil ‘em down with sugar, strain out the bits, and you got a spread that’s perfect on toast.
- Pies and Tarts: Slice ‘em up and toss into a pie with some sweeter apples. The tart kick balances the sweet, makin’ for a killer dessert.
- Juice or Cider: Press ‘em for juice that’s loaded with vitamin C. Or ferment it into a tangy cider vinegar for salads and marinades.
- Fruit Leathers: Puree and dry ‘em into chewy snacks. It’s a healthy way to enjoy that sharp flavor on the go.
I’ve whipped up a batch of crab apple jelly before, and lemme tell ya, the color alone—deep pinkish-red—was worth the sticky mess in my kitchen. Plus, it’s a fab gift for friends who dig homemade goodies. Just don’t eat the seeds or core, ‘cause they got a toxic compound that ain’t good for ya. Stick to the flesh, and you’re golden.
Fun Facts to Wow Your Pals
Wanna sound like a crab apple expert at your next backyard BBQ? Toss out some of these nuggets:
- Crab apple trees are ace pollinators for regular apple orchards ‘cause they bloom so long. Farmers love ‘em for that.
- The wood from these trees is pinkish and smells sweet when burned. It’s also great for carvin’ or turnin’ into small crafts.
- In some old Irish traditions, they used the bark to make yellow dye for wool. Talk about multi-purpose!
I’ve always found it cool how somethin’ so small packs so much history and use. Makes ya appreciate the lil’ things in life, right?
Wrappin’ It Up: Go Find Some Crab Apples!
So, there ya have it—everything you ever wanted to know about what crab apples look like, and then some. These tiny fruits, with their cherry-like size, apple-y shape, and wild colors, are a hidden gem in nature’s lineup. Whether you’re spottin’ ‘em on a gnarly tree with rough bark or pickin’ a ripe, squishy one off the ground, they’re easy to ID once ya know the tricks. Plus, they ain’t just pretty—they feed wildlife, got cultural mojo, and can turn into tasty treats with a lil’ kitchen magic.
I’d love to hear if you’ve got crab apple trees near ya, or if you’ve ever tried cookin’ with ‘em. Drop a comment below and share your stories—did ya make jelly, or just admire ‘em from afar? And hey, if this sparked your curiosity, go take a walk and hunt for some. You might just stumble on a tree full of these mini treasures, and trust me, it’s a sight worth seein’. Let’s keep explorin’ the weird and wonderful together!
Mail-Order Nurseries
Blue Hill Wildlife Nursery During my hunt for new crabapples, I stumbled onto this unique mail-order nursery located in Pennsylvania that specializes in varieties of fruit that attract whitetail deer for hunters. I’d never heard of anyone wanting to attract deer to their property! Owner Ryan Haines has been working on a collection of fruit varieties for more than 20 years that produce abundantly from a young age, are disease resistant, cold tolerant, flavorful, and very easy to grow. While he offers many different types of standard-size fruit and nut trees, his crabapples and applecrabs (large-fruited crabs) look amazing. If you aren’t easily offended and want a good chuckle, the names of some of the trees are pretty funny, including ‘Deer Candy’, ‘Road Kill’, and ‘Lockdown’. One thing to note is that trees only go on sale once per year in the fall, so be sure to use the “get alert feature” and put the sale date on your calendar because he sells out very fast.
Burnt Ridge Nursery & Orchards This long-standing, family-owned farm located in Onalaska, Washington specializes in northwest-native plants, fruit and nut trees, and a wide selection of ornamental trees and shrubs that are both fruiting and flowering. I’ve been ordering from this wonderful company for two decades now and I’m always thrilled with my order.
Cummins Nursery This small, New York-based nursery grows and ships thousands of fruit trees from their farm each year. They have a great selection, including lots of stone fruit, cherries, pears, and many types of apples—from red flesh to heirlooms to cider—and a good dozen crabapple varieties, too. I’ve always been really happy with everything I’ve ordered from them and love their tagline: “fruit trees for everyone.”
Fedco SeedsThis long-standing, Maine-based nursery specializes in varieties that perform well in cold climates. In addition to offering seeds, potatoes, onions, bulbs, and growing supplies, they also have a great selection of fruiting plants and trees. I’ve gotten a number of really special heritage varieties from them, including almost a dozen different crabapples. Their bare root trees are tiny when they arrive but will take off quickly once in the ground.
Orange Pippin Fruit TreesOrange Pippin offers more than a dozen great crabapple cultivars including the rare (here in the States) ‘Golden Hornet’ variety. I’ve been very pleased with the quality of their trees.
Raintree Nursery This specialty nursery located in Morton, Washington has an incredible selection of fruit trees, nut trees, unusual edibles, and berries, all of which have been carefully selected to thrive in the Pacific Northwest. They also offer native plants, ornamental trees, shrubs, and vines.
St. Lawrence Nurseries This nursery is one of my very favorites and has an amazing selection of fruit trees and fruiting plants. Located in Potsdam, New York, St. Lawrence is one of the only nurseries growing their stock in an extreme climate (zone 3), so anything you get from them will survive even the toughest growing conditions. I love that their tagline is “cold hardy plants for cold hardy people.” Owners Connor and Allyssa use organic, regenerative growing methods and all of their trees are planted, tended, and dug by hand to ensure the highest quality. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list (email [email protected] with your address) in order to get their wonderful printed catalog. It’s filled with stories, art, and colorful descriptions and is worth hanging onto because someday it’s sure to be a collector’s item.
Trees of AntiquityThis treasured mail-order nursery has been growing and shipping heirloom fruit trees around the country for more than 40 years. Their collection is unmatched, with 200 different historical apples available this season alone, including many of the Sweetmeat™ and Rosetta™ varieties bred by Albert Etter. If you search “Etter” on their site, all of these special varieties will come up. In addition to their incredible preservation efforts, Trees of Antiquity is also certified organic. I’ve been very impressed with their quality and selection and am excited to continue adding more of their varieties to our farm in the future.
Crab Apples facts & history
FAQ
Is it safe to eat a crab apple?
How can you tell if an apple is a crab apple?
To distinguish crab apples from regular apples, focus on fruit size, as crab apples are generally defined as any apple fruit less than 2 inches in diameter, while regular apples are larger. While the color and taste of crab apples can vary widely, from tart and sour to sweet depending on the variety, they are often used for preserves, jams, and jellies rather than being eaten raw.
What do crab apples taste like?
Crab apples taste sour and tart with a slightly sweet flavor, similar to a less ripe, more intense apple, though the taste varies by variety and can be improved by freezing or cooking with sugar to make jams, jellies, and preserves. While some varieties are suitable for eating raw, many are too sour and bitter, containing high levels of malic acid and pectin, making them ideal for cooking and baking rather than eating out of hand.
Are there crab apple look alikes?
Crab apples are most likely to be confused with other members of the rose family, notably wild plums (Prunus spp.) and hawthorns (Crataegus spp.) Fortunately, the fruits of both plants are edible, so if you do mistake them, it’s not a huge deal.