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Siberian Crab crab-apple

Malus baccata
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Siberian Crab

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.

  • Siberian Crab
  • Siberian Crab
  • Siberian Crab

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  Karen j GrayONTARIO, Canada
      This 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  MikePennsylvania (south-central), United States
      When 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.

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    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:



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