When considered flowering crab apple trees, most homeowners
and horticulturalists recommend one of the numerous cultivars that show
resistance to disease and other pests in addition to bearing profuse clusters
of flowers. If you are considering a
flowering crab, and do not have cedars close by, then you might consider the
southern crab apple. One of the finest
things about this species is the fragrance in the spring that almost has a
strong violet smell. It is also
incredibly showy, although not as much as the various cultivars on the
market. People have a tendency to not
like the wild crab apple trees because they are susceptible to cedar apple
rust, honey fungus, apple scab, fire blight, insect borers, scale, aphids, canker,
and tent caterpillars. Some of these can
be sprayed for but I think if you keep the tree where it gets good wind
movement through the branches and leaves (by trimming) and keeping it away from
other horticultural fruit trees and cedar, you can be quite successful in
getting this attractive species to thrive.
It is a small growing tree, up to 30’ maximum height with a short trunk
to a foot to 2 feet tall. Mature trees have beautiful bark patterns and
color. The leaves are more oval, not
lance-shaped and finely toothed. It
should be situated in the full sun or it can get early morning shade but will
handle disease issues better in full sun.
It should have very good drainage and soil fertility is usually not an
issue. No clay soils. One way to reduce disease problems is to rake
the leaves in the fall and burn them.
The great thing for wildlife is that this species produces a small fruit that is
relished by birds, more so than the large fruits produced on many of the
cultivars. It can be a slow growing
species but it is worth the effort.
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