Elk River features large fragrant pink single flowers followed by small bright green crab-apples.
USDA identification images for Elk River
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.
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Tree register
We don't have any registered trees for this variety yet. If you have a Elk River tree you can register it here.
Origins
- Species: Malus species - Crab-apple
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
- Fruit colour: Green
- Flower colour: Pink - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Flowering month: May
- Flowering month: June
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
- Leaf colour - autumn: Multiple tints
- Flower form: Single flower (5-8 petals)
- Flower size: Large
- Fruit size: Large
Using
- Picking season: Very late
- Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
- Flavour quality: Average
- Juice style: Sharper
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Persistent
- Food uses: Hard cider
- Picking month: November
- Food uses: Edible fruits
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 5
- Pollinating others: Poor
- Ploidy: Tetraploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Growth habit: Spreading / Flat-topped
- Attractive features: Attractive flowers
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Height after 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
- Growth rate: Average
- Attractive features: Autumn foliage colour
- Attractive features: Scented flowers
- Site conditions: Sheltered site
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun
- Pruning: Light prune
- Site conditions: Free-draining site
- Soil type: Normal
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- 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)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very susceptible
- Fire blight: Very susceptible
- Cedar apple rust: Very susceptible
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Elk River crab-apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Elk River crab-apple trees - Pippin Trees United Kingdom
Elk River 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.