Roberts Crab is an unusual crab-apple. The fruits are very large (the size of small apples) and have a dark purple skin. The flesh is a deep red color.
The flavor for eating fresh is very poor, but it is thought this variety was originally grown for cider - the juice is a claret-red color. It is also useful in the kitchen as the red-flesh adds color to jams and jellies.
Like most red-fleshed crab-apples it contains anthocyanin compounds which are thought to have anti-oxidant properties.
This variety was discovered in the UK, where it is marketed as Dr Campbell, named after a plant scientist who worked at the Long Ashton Research Station.
Also known as
- Dr Campbell's crab
- Roberts Red
Roberts Crab crab-apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Roberts 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.
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Tree register
United States
- Mark Bartel in Hagerstown, MARYLAND
United Kingdom
- Christopher Davidson in BADRALLACH, HIGHLANDS
Netherlands
- Marten in Borger, DRENTHE
Portugal
- Nuno Norinho in Guimares, BRAGA
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: Somerset, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1970s
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Purple
- Flower colour: Pink - dark
- Leaf colour: Bronze
- Flowering month: April
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flower form: Single flower (5-8 petals)
- Flesh colour: Pink / Red
- Leaf colour - autumn: Bronze / Purple
- Fruit shape: Round
- Fruit size: Very large
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Average
- Juice style: Sharper
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Juice
- Food uses: Hard cider
- Picking month: September
- Picking period: early September
- Food uses (ornamental plants): Jam / Jelly
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Poor
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Precocity: Precocious
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Attractive features: Attractive flowers
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Height after 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Roberts Crab crab-apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Roberts Crab crab-apple trees - Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Roberts Red crab-apple trees - Pippin Trees United Kingdom
Roberts Crab crab-apple trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Roberts Crab 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.