The Common Crabapple is a flowering, deciduous tree typically found growing in its native Europe and Turkey in woods containing oak. At maturity, it can reach a height of 32 feet. It is a food source for many undomesticated animals. It can grow individually or in a small group along forest edges, thickets hedgerows, and roadsides as well as in a variety of soils, including clay. The genus name is Latin for apple. The species name means of the forest. The Common Crabapple prefers a sunny location, but will grow in partial shade. However, a sunny location with moist soil provides the best environment for producing flowers and fruits. It will tolerate most soil types, but prefers well-drained soils. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems. The Common Crabapple is often used for rootstock. Loss of habitat is a major issue for the survival of this rare tree. Its native countries have set up seed bank collections and conservation areas to help the species survive. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to honey fungus. The toxin hydrogen cyanide is contained in the seeds and possibly the leaves of this tree. More information on Malus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Round, oval, alternate leaves, hairs on the underside, simple and toothed on the margin.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
Showy, white to pinkish, 5-parted flowers blossom in the spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Fleshy, green, yellow, or red with a tart flavor that is used for jellies, preserves, and juices. The fruit is a great source of pectin which is used as a thickener in jams. The seeds are poisonous.
Stem detail
Single stemmed tree.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe and Turkey
Distribution
Australia and Argentina
Wildlife value
Noted for attracting birds and other wildlife to eat the fruit.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Apples, but discard the seeds. HARVEST TIME: Only collect fruit from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash fruit thoroughly with warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Wild apples are generally quite a bit smaller than cultivated varieties. They also tend to be somewhat harder and definitely more tart. Crab-apples can be used in place of domestic apples in many cooked recipes.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Rich in pectin, the fruit, raw or cooked, is used for jellies, preserves and juices.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Woodland
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#poisonous #flowering tree #fruit tree #edible garden #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #deciduous shrub #deciduous #clay soils tolerant #frost tolerant #deciduous tree
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Propagation
Root Cutting; Seed; Stem Cutting
Fire risk
high flammability
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Leaves; Seeds
Poison symptoms
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Ingesting seeds can cause difficult breathing, trembling, spasms, and coma of short duration. Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, panting, shock.