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Hewe's Crab crab-apple

Malus domestica
Hewe's Crab
A popular crab-apple, also widely known as Virginia Crab, and producing a high-quality cider juice.

Also known as

  • Virginia Crab

Hewe's Crab crab-apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Hewe's Crab
  • Hewe's Crab

USDA identification images for Hewe's Crab

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Visitor reviews

    • 02 Sep 2012  Pennsylvania (south-central), United States
      Flavor was sweet and tart. Small apples this year; only about the size of the US dime.
    • 01 Sep 2012  Pennsylvania (south-central), United States
      For a crab apple, this was the sweetest produced this year; good enough to eat fresh. I used a red sticky ball in the tree and had two Hewes Crab Apples without any damage. Wish it was bigger; only about the diameter of a dime. Also have a Siberian Crab Apple (Hewes much better than Siberian for fresh eating). See comments for Siberian on that page.

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    Canada

    • Dan in Vittoria, ONTARIO

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2022 season

    • April  2022  - tree owned by Duane in West Jefferson, United States

    2021 season

    • 4th May  2021  - tree owned by Joel in Gardners, United States
    • April  2021  - tree owned by Duane in West Jefferson, United States

    2020 season

    • 20th May  2020  - tree owned by Ryan in Sterling, United States

    2015 season

    • 27th April  2015  - tree owned by Michael in Glen Rock, United States

    2014 season

    • 2nd May  2014  - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
    • 29th April  2014  - tree owned by Jeff in Reading, United States
    • 27th April  2014  - tree owned by Rory in Stafford, United States
    • 15th April  2014  - tree owned by Anthony in San Diego, United States

    2013 season

    • 27th April  2013  - tree owned by Jeff in Reading, United States

    2012 season

    • 8th April  2012  - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
    • 5th April  2012  - tree owned by Jeff in Reading, United States

    2011 season

    • 7th April  2011  - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2012 season

    • 2nd week September  2012  - tree owned by Dan in Camano Island, United States
    • 2nd week September  2012  - tree owned by Jeff in Reading, United States
    • 1st week September  2012  - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Malus species - Crab-apple
    • Originates from: Virginia, United States
    • Introduced: 18th century

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United States
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Flowering duration: Long

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Cropping: Good
    • Food uses: Culinary
    • Food uses: Juice
    • Food uses: Hard cider
    • Juice colour: Clear
    • Picking period: early September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
    • Rootstock size class: Standard

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Average
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Good
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
    • Attractive features: Attractive flowers
    • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 3 (-40C)
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Hewe's Crab crab-apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.



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