Malus

( MAY - lus )

At-A-Glance Information

Malus, commonly called Crabapple or Apple, is a genus of flowering, fruiting trees that need full sun and moderate to regular water. These trees are grown for both their clouds of white, pink, and red flowers as well as their ability to produce fruit that is used in cooking and baking. There are hundreds of varieties, including old favorites and newer, disease and pest-resistant species. Flowers usually bloom in springtime, are sometimes fragrant, and will attract pollinators to your garden. All species are native to North America, Europe and Asia, and are around 20 feet tall (though the true height range is from 4 to 35 feet). Use these trees as specimens, planted along pathways 

crabapple Species and Varietals

The genus Malus includes between 32 and 57 species (along with some hybrids), and is in the plant family Rosaceae. Crabapple trees grow well in zones 1-11 and 14-21, though this varies somewhat depending on the variety grown. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. 
​
Malus angustifolia (Southern Crabapple)
This species is native to the eastern and south-central United States, and produces a tree that reaches 33 feet a maturity. Flowers are pink and fragrant, and fruits have an aromatic scent, as well and are pear-shaped. Fruits are astringent, acidic, and unpalatable when raw, but can be used to make jellies, jams, and other preserves. The species is most commonly grown as an ornamental garden plant.

Malus asiatica (Chinese Pearleaf Crabapple)
This species of Crabapple are native to China and Korea, and produce white to pink flowers in spring. Trees reach up to around 20 feet tall when mature, and produce flowers between April and May. Flowers are white to pinkish. Fruits are yellow or red, appearing from August through September.

​Malus baccata (Siberian Crab Apple, Siberian Crab. Manchurian Crab Apple, Chinese Crab Apple)
This species of trees are native to many areas of Asia, but are grown worldwide as ornamental trees. These trees are commonly used as rootstock for their disease and cold tolerances. Flowers are profuse, fragrant and white, and are followed by edible red to yellow fruits.

​Malus x brevipes (Shrub Apple, Wedding Bouquet Crabapple)
This hybrid is widely cultivated as a garden ornamental, though its true origin is unknown. Trees commonly reach between 13 and 16 feet tall when mature, and produces white flowers followed by small fruits. Great for urban environments and small spaces.

Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple, Garland Crab)
This North American species reaches 33 feet tall and has a broad, open crown. Flowers are white to light pink in color and bloom in May and June. This species takes the form of a bushy shrub with rigid, contorted branches, and reddish-brown bark. Fruits ripen in October and are yellow-green in color.

​Malus crescimannoi (Raimondo Apple)
This species of Crabapple is native to the island of Sicily. It was first described in 2008, and forms a small to medium-sized tree up to 33 feet tall. Flowers are white to pink and fruits are usually longer than they are wide. Apples ripen in October through November. Twigs are weakly thorny.

​Malus domestica (Apple Tree, Domestic Apple, Orchard Apple)
These trees are cultivated worldwide for their sweet, delicious fruits. The species originated in central Asia, and there are now over 7,500 cultivars. These deciduous trees reach between 6 and 15 feet tall when mature in cultivation (though wild specimens have been seen around 33 feet tall). 

Malus doumeri (Taiwan Crabapple)
These trees are native to temperate and tropical areas of Asia, and produce edible fruits, whose extracts have also been evaluated for their potential use in the skincare industry. 

Malus fusca (Oregon Crabapple, Pacific Crabapple)
These trees are native to western North America, and reach up to 43 feet tall. Leaves are dark green above, and pale and fibrous beneath. Foliage turns red and orange hues in fall before falling. Flowers are white to pale pink, and bloom in springtime. Fruits are small.

Malus halliana (Hall Crabapple, Chui Si Hai Tang)
This species is native to China and Japan, and produces pink flowers and purplish-red fruits. Trees reach up to 17 feet tall at maturity. This species is widely cultivated for its abundant, pink fragrant flowers.

Malus hupehensis (Chinese Crab Apple, Hupeh Crab, Tea Crabapple)
These tress reach about 40 feet tall when mature and have wide-spreading crowns. Pink buds open in springtime to reveal white flowers. Fruits are bright red, about the size of cherries, and are present on the trees in fall. This species is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant. 

Malus ioensis (Iowa Crab, Prairie Crabapple)
Native mainly to Mississippi and Texas, these trees can grow up to 35 feet tall. Flowers are white to pinkish and bloom in summer. Small apple-like berries are present in the fall, and are favorites of local wildlife in the plant's native range. Variety 'Plena' produces double flowers.

Malus mandshurica (Manchurian Crab Apple)
This species is native to Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan. These trees are commonly used as rootstock for cultivated varieties of orchard apples in China. 

Malus niedzwetzkyana (Niedzwetzky's Apple, Kisil Alma)
Native to Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, these trees are considered endangered, and are rarely seen in the wild. These are drought-resistant and cold-tolerant trees that have globe-shaped crowns and dark purple-brown bark. New shoots are dark purple, and flowers are magenta-rose. Fruits have deep red to purplish-red skin and red flesh. Fruits is edible and somewhat chewy. A popular cultivar is 'Red Vein'.

Malus orientalis (Eastern Crabapple, Caucasus Apple)
This species is native to eastern Europe and Iran, and has relatively large yellow fruits that are edible. Fruits are tart, but drying the fruit and then boiling to rehydrate cuts the tartness. 

Malus prunifolia (Plumleaf Crabapple, Plum-Leaved Apple, Pear-Leaf Crabapple, Chinese Apple, Chinese Crabapple)
These Chinese native trees are commonly used as rootstock for cultivated species or used as garden ornamentals. They reach between 10 and 26 feet tall and produce white flowers and yellow to red fruits.

Malus sikkimensis (Sikkim Crabapple, Xi Jin Hai Tang)
This species of Crabapple is native to China, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, Tibet, and India, where it is threatened due to habitat destruction. Flowers are pink and white and and fruits are dark red when ripe and edible. 

Malus spectabilis (Doubleflower Chinese Crabapple, Chinese Flowering Apple, Asiatic Apple, Chinese Crab. Hai Tang)
This species is endemic to China and produces white to pink flowers (depending on the variety grown). These are widely cultivated as ornamental trees, and is especially popular in China.

Malus sylvestris (European Crab Apple, European Wild Apple, Crab Apple)
Native to Europe and western areas of Asia, this species forms a small to medium-sized deciduous tree or multi-stemmed bush that can reach up to 46 feet tall. These trees live between 80-100 years on average, and have white or pinkish flowers. Fruits are a little over an inch in diameter and ripen in fall. Branches are thorny and bark is brown and flaky.

Malus sieboldii (Malus toringo) (Siebold's Crab, Siebold's Crabapple, Toringo Crabapple)
These trees are native to China, Japan, and Korea, and variety 'Scarlett' is a popularly grown cultivar.

Malus toringoides (Cut-Leaf Crabapple)
Endemic to mountain ranges in China, these wild Crabapple trees are sometimes used for rootstock in Apple hybridization efforts. It is a naturally occurring hybrid species, and produces small golden fruits.

Malus trilobata (Eriolobus trilobatus) (Lebanese Wild Apple, Three-Lobed Apple Tree)
These trees are sometimes put into a completely different species, Eriolobus. They can reach up to 47 feet tall and have a 23 foot wide crown. Leaves are Maple-like and deeply lobed, turning from orange to red to deep purple in the fall before falling from the tree. Flowers are produced in April and May in the tree's native range, and are white. Fruits that follow blooms are yellow.

Malus sieversii
These wild Apples are native to southern Kazakhstan, and is a common ancestor of many cultivars of the domesticated Apple. These trees can grow in many different habitats, but prefer high temperatures and short winters. Trees reach between 16 and 39 feet tall when mature, and are very similar in appearance to the domesticated Apple.

Caring for and pruning malus Trees

Apple trees thrive in full sun exposure, and require at least between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day to grow, flower, and fruit well. The quality of fruits will also be better if grown in full sun. Plant bare-root specimens in winter or early springtime; container-grown plants can be planted at any time of the year. Trees prefer fertile, well-draining, deep, neutral soils (with a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5), but they can grow in rocky, gravelly, acidic, or slightly alkaline soils if necessary. Avoid planting trees in overly clay or overly sandy soils, as this can lead to poor growth. Amend soil with plenty of organic material before planting if soils are heavy. Make sure to give trees the space that they need to grow. Overcrowded trees tend to have more issues than those with adequate space. A good spacing is 15 feet for most species, though this does vary somewhat. Apply a thick layer of mulch at the base of trees to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and help to regulate soil temperatures. Newly planted trees should be deep watered to help establish a strong root system. Keep soil consistely moist during this period of time. Established trees are relatively drought-tolerant, but will still need deep waterings during the drier, warmer parts of the year. Water at the base of trees and avoid wetting foliage.

Prune these trees when they are young to build an attractive framework or to correct shape. Concentrate on creating a strong central leader with strong lateral branches. Avoid cutting the main stem of the tree until it is established. These trees can be espaliered, if desired, and if this is the case, they will need to be trained when young. The best time to prune Apple trees is in late winter or early springtime, before new growth begins to push out for the year. At this time, remove any dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches. Thin out the center of trees to increase airflow and sunlight penetration. Fertilize trees in early springtime with a generous amount of organic compost. When buds begin to swell up, it is a good indicator to apply fertilizer. If trees are not producing or growing well, they may benefit from a feeding with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10) or one specifically formulated for fruit trees.

Harvesting Crabapple Fuits
Many Crabapple trees are not self-pollinating, and will require a mate with which to pollinate. Choose varieties that bloom around the same time for the best cross-pollination. Fruits on Crabapple trees will typically be ready for harvesting when they are soft and begin to fall from the trees. A good way to check for ripeness is to open up a fruit and check the color of the seeds. Mature fruits will have brown seeds. Rinse the fruits once they are brought indoors. Harvesting is a simple process for these trees, and fruits can be used in a number of culinary applications, including apple butter, sauces and preserves, and pies.

Propagation

Apple trees can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Malus tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Malus by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Malus by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds in fall. Seeds are contained inside of fruits, which will need to be cut open. Remove seeds and any attached flesh, rinse them, and then lay them out to dry. These seeds can be stored for 5 years in the refrigerator or for between 35 and 40 years in the freezer. They will need to be cold-stratified; to complete this process, place the seeds in a container or sealable plastic bag filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Place the container or bag in the refrigerator for between 2 and 4 months, and then remove them so they can be sown.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Crabapple trees produce edible fruits that contain seeds.
Crabapple seeds are typically brown to greyish-brown.

Problems and Pests

Crabapple trees suffer from the following ailments:
  • Apple Scab
  • Cedar Apple Rust
  • Fireblight
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Scale
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Tent Caterpillars
For information on these issues, including how to eradicate and further prevent them, see the following links:
​

Gallery

These are beautiful landscape trees and have a variety of shapes and habits.
These eye-catching trees are popular front yard additions.
Typically, trees will have white flowers, but some varieties sport bright pink ones.
Here, a Crabapple is planted in a bed with evergreens, stones, and annual and perennial flowers.
These trees have a handsome shape, and are true garden edimentals.
Edible fruits typically are ready for harvest in fall.

Videos

Learn about these gorgeous ornamental garden trees.
Learn how to successfully plant these trees.

Resources

Care Guide for Apple and Crabapple Bonsai
A Complete Guide to Crabapple Tree Care
Malus domestica
Wikipedia: Malus
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 433, 434-435, Malus
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​