Sweet Crabapple (Malus coronaria) Facts:
General:
--Native to North America, particularly the eastern half.
--Often called American crabapple, wild crabapple, Biltmore crabapple, or garland crab.
--Grows as a small tree, typically 15-30 feet tall with a short trunk and wide-spreading branches.
--Can also appear as a bushy shrub.
--Bark is reddish-brown and scaly.
Leaves and Flowers:
--Leaves are oval-shaped, with serrated edges and a rounded or heart-shaped base, reaching 2.5 to 4 inches long.
--Produces fragrant, white flowers tinged with pink in clusters during late spring (May-June).
--Blooms later than domesticated apple trees.
Fruit and Wildlife:
--Fruit is a small, greenish-yellow pome, not particularly showy but abundant.
--The fruit becomes sweeter after drying or cold storage, making it suitable for jams, jellies, and cider, especially when combined with other apples.
--Provides food for birds and other wildlife.
--The tree itself is a host plant for many butterfly and moth species.
Other:
--Considered a low-maintenance tree and provides year-round interest in landscapes with its flowers, fruit, and winter silhouette.
--Prefers full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil.
--Can tolerate drier conditions.
Traditionally, the bark and roots were used for medicinal purposes, although this is not recommended today.
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