Crabapple tree is a plant that is native to North America. The tree is a deciduous tree that can grow to be about 30 feet tall. The leaves of the crabapple tree are oval shaped and have a toothed margin. The flowers of the crabapple tree are white and have five petals. The fruit of the crabapple tree is a small apple that is red or yellow in color.
About soil condition, the crabapple tree prefers moist but well drained soil, and they are quite adaptable to different soil types. They are not tolerant of waterlogged or overly dry soils. Sandy loams or clays are ideal, but the tree will also do well in heavier clay soils as long as they are not waterlogged.
Not too different with other fruit trees, crabapple trees need full sun to produce the most fruit. They will still produce fruit in partial sun, but not as much. Crabapple trees also need well-drained soil to thrive.
The temperature conditions are perfect for a crabapple tree. The tree needs a cold winter to break its dormancy and produce fruit, so a warm winter wouldn't be ideal. The tree also needs a spring with cool temperatures and plenty of moisture so the flowers can bloom.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and it cannot tolerate below 40%. Crabapple tree do best in full sun but it will also tolerate partial shade. It grows best in moist, well-drained soils but it is also tolerant of clay soils.
About fertilizer, this type of plant prefers a low nitrogen fertilizer in the spring when new growth begins. A good time to fertilize your crabapple tree is early September. If you live in an area with salty soil, you'll need to fertilize more often because the salt will damage the roots and make it harder for the tree to absorb nutrients.
Pruning a crabapple tree is important to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. You should prune in early spring before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Next, thin out the canopy to allow more light and air to reach the inner branches. Finally, remove any crossing or rubbing branches.
Propagation is accomplished through rooting hardwood or softwood cuttings, or grafting. Crabapple grafts readily onto rootstocks of other apple trees. Crabapples can also be propagated by seed, but this is generally not done because it produces a tree that is significantly different from the parent.
Usually, the plant growth rate is between 13 and 24 inches per year. Some crabapple trees can grow more than 3 feet per year. The average adult crabapple tree can reach a height of 30 feet and a width of 20 feet.
Common problems for this kind of plant are mostly due to cultural practices and include: poor drainage, scab, powdery mildew, cedar-apple rust, fireblight, and codling moth. Most of these problems can be controlled with proper cultural practices and/or treatment with fungicides and insecticides.
Source:
How to Select a Crabapple Tree | NDSU Agriculture and Extension
Malus coronaria (American Crabapple, Garland Crab, Sweet Crabapple ...
Sweet Crabapple | Glen Arboretum - Towson University