The Siberian crab apple is a popular crab apple variety, mainly grown for ornamental purposes. It produces a mass of white apple blossom.
It is related to the common apple (Malus domestica) but is a separate species (Malus baccata).
The Siberian crab is one of the hardiest of all Malus species and will grow in conditions which are too cold for most regular apple cultivars - down to USDA zone 2. Whereas most crab apple trees are fairly compact, the Siberian Crab can grow to a considerable height.
Siberian Crab crab-apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Siberian 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.
Offspring of this variety
Visitor reviews
- 31 Oct 2016 ONTARIO, CanadaThis apple makes a truly delicious applesauce. The sauce has a natural pinkish tint and is slightly tart and there is never enough of it. My sister grows this tree in Jasper, Alberta and makes sauce every year from the crop.
- 15 Sep 2013 Pennsylvania (south-central), United StatesWhen the apple first touched my tongue, it tasted similar to a sweet rose. A few seconds later the taste changed to a bitter, sweet, dry flavor. Later years will use for cider as I originally planned.
Tree register
United States
- Michael Le Boulluec in Glen Rock, PA
- Mike in Glen Rock, PA
United Kingdom
- Graham Bell in Coldstream, BERWICKSHIRE
India
- Jatin Fishta in Rohru, INDIA
Spring blossom records for this variety
2015 season
- 27th April 2015 - tree owned by Michael in Glen Rock, United States
2014 season
- 29th April 2014 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
2013 season
- 26th April 2013 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
2012 season
- 9th April 2012 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
- April 2012 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 21st April 2011 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
- April 2011 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 16th September 2010 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
- April 2010 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
2009 season
- April 2009 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2013 season
- 4th week August 2013 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
2012 season
- September 2012 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
- 2nd week July 2012 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
2011 season
- 3rd week September 2011 - tree owned by Mike in Glen Rock, United States
- September 2011 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
2010 season
- September 2010 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
2009 season
- September 2009 - tree owned by Graham in Coldstream, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus species - Crab-apple
Identification
- Country of origin: Russia
- Fruit colour: Orange / Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Leaf colour - autumn: Green
- Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
- Leaf colour - young: Green
- Flower size: Medium
- Fruit size: Small
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Good
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Culinary
- Picking month: August
- Picking period: mid-August
- Wildlife: Attractive to birds
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
- Rootstock size class: Standard
- Rootstock % of standard: 100%
- Rootstock compatibility: Apple
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Good
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Slightly small
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Attractive features: Attractive flowers
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Attractive features: Attractive tree / plant
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Height after 10 years: 2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
- Growth rate: Average
- Attractive features: Scented flowers
- Useful for: Patio containers
- Growth habit: Upright-spreading / Vase
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 3 (-40C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp 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: Good
- Root suckers: Many
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Siberian Crab crab-apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Malus baccata crab-apple trees - Pippin Trees United Kingdom
Malus baccata 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.