(by Diane De Luca)

The Crabapple tree is closely related to the apple tree with the distinction being the size of the fruit. Crabapple fruit is 2 inches or less in diameter; fruit greater than 2 inches is an apple. All crabapples are technically edible but most are quite bitter, hence the name “crab”. They are small deciduous trees that blossom in spring and provide an important and reliable early food source for honeybees, mason bees, and bumblebees. Three species of Crabapple are native to North America.

Crabapples are tough and adaptable, but full sun will maximize flower and fruit development. They are favored as a landscape planting that provides wildlife benefits. Many species of birds will feed on the persistent berries. Crabapples will often attract large flocks of songbirds such as Cedar Waxwings and Eastern Bluebirds in late fall and winter. A photo from the fall of 2020 shows a Pine Grosbeak feeding on the fruit. At times, even turkeys are observed perched along the fruit-laden branches.

In addition to their showy blossoms and persistent fruit, Crabapples also provide strong foliage in summer and fall that can be used for nesting and cover. Some varieties of crabapple have impressive fall leaf color ranging from yellow to orange to red and purple.