American crabapple is a small, low-maintenance tree that provides landscape interest in all 4 seasons. Among the showiest of spring bloomers, crabapples invite a variety of wildlife and are easily recognizable with short, crooked trunks, wide-spreading crowns, and greenish-yellow fruit. Among the last of the crabapples to bloom, their fragrant, white flowers appear in clusters tinged with rose between May and June.
 
Natural habitats include open woodlands and borders, savannas, fields, along fencerows. and in thickets. This species likes moist, well-drained soils, tolerates drier soils, and usually thrives on neglect in full sun. It is prone to rust disease, especially when located near junipers and during wet springs.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 20’-30’ tall and wide.
 
Prefers full sun or part shade.
 
Grows in moist to medium-dry, well-drained soils.
 
Leaves are elliptical and serrated. Fall color is green to chartreuse, but some leaves may be bright yellow. Trees are often multi-trunked and can work well as a thicket.
 
Wildlife Value:
Crabapples are a host for 256 species of Lepidoptera, including tuliptree silkmoth, red-spotted admiral butterfly, and funerary dagger moth (pictured here in that order). The flowers are cross-pollinated by honey bees, bumble bees, long-horned bees, and long-tongued bees. Other visitors include short-tonged bees, butterflies, and skippers. The caterpillars of many moths feed on the leaves and other parts of this small tree, as do beetles, weevils, aphids, leafhoppers, and treehoppers. The fruit is eaten by gamebirds and songbirds, black bear, fox, opossum, raccoon, skunk, squirrels, voles, and mice. Rabbits and deer browse on the foliage, twigs, and bark. Because it is densely branched and thorny, American crabapple provides nesting habitat and cover for many species of birds.
 
Medicinal and Edible uses:
Medicinally, a bark infusion was used for treating gallstones, piles, and sore eyes. The roots were used as a tonic and for treating malaria and tuberculosis.
 
The fruit will become sweeter when dried or put into cold storage to give the starches time to convert to sugars. The fruit's high pectin content makes it an excellent choice for jams and jellies. It can also be used with other apples to make delicious cider.