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Siberian Crab crab-apple

Malus baccata
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.

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, 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  Pennsylvania (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.

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    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:


    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.



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