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.
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
- 30 Oct 2024After three years, I finally got a crop on this tree, and holy cow did I get a lot of apples! Having tasted many terrible crabs over the years and mostly having bought this tree for pollination purposes, I was delighted to discover that the fruit was large, sweet, and pleasantly tangy. There was some classic crabapple bitterness in the flavor, but only a pleasant level in the background. I can see why this is such a popular cider apple. Still, instead, I ate all of them out of hand or put them into pies (well, canned pie filling for later use). Conservatively, I’d say that I got 2 bushels from my one young tree—amazing! Looking forward to next year.
- 02 Sep 2012 Pennsylvania (south-central), United StatesFlavor was sweet and tart. Small apples this year; only about the size of the US dime.
- 01 Sep 2012 Pennsylvania (south-central), United StatesFor 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
- Aaron Millis in HELENA, MT
- Adam Dupps in Lawrenceburg, IN
- Alistair Reece in GORDONSVILLE, VA
- Anthony in San Diego, CA
- Charlie in Grinnell, IA
- Cherie Buijk in HILLSBORO, MO
- Craig Sheehan in Winchester, KY
- Dan Barowy in WILLIAMSTOWN, MA
- Dan Spratlen in Camano Island, WASHINGTON / USA
- Dan Vorhis in FREELAND, WA
- David A Dawson in Solsberry, INDIANA
- Duane Brown in West Jefferson, NC
- Elijah Evans in Washington, DC
- Gina Colver in EPHRATA, WASHINGTON
- Jeff Griffith in Reading, PA
- Joel Reigel in Gardners, PA
- Karen Spencer in Salado, TX
- Kevin Yeadon in OAK HARBOR, WA
- Lisa Hall in Dahlonega, GEORGIA
- Mark Bartel in Hagerstown, MARYLAND
- Marshall Robert Crosby in Sugar Grove, NORTH CAROLINA
- Max Perdiem in DE SMET, SD
- Michael Le Boulluec in Glen Rock, PA
- Mike in Glen Rock, PA
- Mike Haller in SIOUX CITY, IOWA
- Nathan Kunze in Utica, KY
- Paul Grochowski in Floyd, VIRGINIA
- Rick Mercadante in Baden, PA
- Ron Davis in Chuckey, TN
- Rory Calhoun in Stafford, VA
- Ryan in Sterling, NY
- Steve Kollodge in BROOK PARK, MN
- Trevor Roth in Erhard, MINNESOTA
- Whitney Peters in Sixes, OREGON
United Kingdom
- David Briggs in Warwick, WARWICKSHIRE
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
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:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Hewe's Virginia crab-apple trees
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.