Why you should plant a crabapple

[@stefkadank-derpjr1453]

A friend of mine had a show stopper of a crabapple tree here in Georgia. He lives in the house he grew up in and his father grew up in. The crabapple tree had been there his whole life. He had grown up poor but his family had a huge vegetable garden in the back, they owned their house and their beautiful front yard was a great source of pride. His house was out on a state highway, in the country, 15 minutes from Athens, Ga. Over the years he had added to his yard by filling the ground around that tree with loads of flowering bulbs. In early April, cars would slow down just to take a look at his yard. It was a stunning display of Spring in the South with all the bulbs, a couple of older redbuds off in the distance and the crabapple tree as the focal point. However ......😢 Roughly 6 years ago, we had a tornado that came through our part of town and it uprooted his crabapple tree and tore it to shreds. I called to check on him....like us, his house was fine but the crabapple tree being ripped from the ground was really upsetting to him. That tree was over 50 years old and yet it still bloomed beautifully. It had a perfect flowing form as if God had sent angels to shape it. He had his chainsaw out that very afternoon cutting up the remenants. I noticed that the tree was starting produce a couple of whispy suckers from the base that had been nearest to the trunk but under the ground. I wasn't sure if it would work but I convinced him to take the tree all the way down to where those suckers were coming out and to not manipulate the root ball (that was left) but just bury it, the best we could, back in the ground. Perhaps a few of those suckers would take off and become a new tree. He could choose the strongest. WELL...Last April his "new" crabapple tree bloomed like a champ. It wont take too long before it becomes as big and as beautiful it's parent was. Thanks for letting me share my long story. I know most of us who come watch P Allen Smith videos are true lovers of plants and gardening. Most of us have stories of plants we have lost, plants we thought we lost but came back. Gardening is a perfect microcosm of life it's constant work, requires patience, it's filled with great joys mixed with plenty of sadnesses but ultimately worth it and to have neighbors, friends and family say they feel at peace when they're at my place....I think that's one of my favorite gifts from God.

[@jessicalatorraca8507]

Great story! Love it. Reminds me of our old apple tree, growing up. Watching the birds in the birdhouse, the chippies darting around the trunk. 🥹🌿🌸 Sweet memories! Edit: Oh, and the deer eating the apples! 😂 Just wonderful. Every family should have a tree like this.

[@jarrodlambert3914]

Also crabappes are great pollinators for other fruit trees!

[@madmarple4590]

Loved playing in one growing up, and your fun good nature is contagious ❤ thanks for sharing

[@valeriejashi4231]

I wasn’t able to dig such a deep or wide hole to plant my new crab apple tree because I just wasn’t strong enough. I was able to dig the hole big enough to just fit the tree in. I was concerned it wouldn’t survive since this wasn’t ideal. However, the tree is thriving. I’m really happy how hardy and adaptable this tree is. Lovely tree with pink flowers in the spring and some changing color leaves throughout most of the year here in the southeast.

[@jodyk4949]

The robins really like these fruit in the winter. Thanks for the video

[@phantom357]

What is planted below the Prairifire Crabapple in the shot?

[@lynoreoakley9412]

Oh my goodness you guys are so cute!! ❤

[@Adohleas]

We had a weeping crab apple at my old home and in the winter we would get colorful birds here in Utah that would eat them while the snow was still out. I would see birds that I had no idea lived here in Utah due to their colors. I've seen birds with blue, green, and even red feathers. Which I have never seen here before except whenever its winter and on my crab apple tree. The crab apples were also nice too look at even in the winter as you would see these brightly red fruits that would contrast with the white snow.

[@todwod]

I just bought 3 crabapple trees for my new garden here at work. I’m very excited to see them grow here in high elevation New Mexico :-)

[@moomoo3031]

Hey, Im north of Taos and gonna get one this week I hope. Theres an old one just down the road that is just gorgeous so I know they will live up here.

[@TeamTopKick]

I'm in Cibola County and want to plant a Prarie FIRE Crab Apple.

[@ThogDontCare]

My great grandfather had a few crabapple trees on his lawn way back in the late 90's before he passed. I remember eating those sour crabapples. Haven't eaten one 25 years.

[@lauracoussens6207]

There are sweeter varieties that can be eaten fresh (raw)...the best way to eat fruits.

[@ThogDontCare]

@@lauracoussens6207 I loved eating the sour ones right off the branch

[@ReneeKalei]

Hi guys and gal. I live in Cedar City, zone 6, and want to plant a crabapple tree with persistent fruit. Deciding between Prairie Fire and Royal Raindrops. When is the best time to plant, and what amendments should be used I the soil. Our soil is alkaline and doesn’t drain very well. Thank you

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Crab apples are high in pectin which makes them great fruits for jams.

[@lauracoussens6207]

They also pollinate other apple trees.

[@15heartz]

Are the leaves hmm to eat?

[@charveyurbano4974]

Are crabapple tree roots invasive? I’m planning on planting one in the backyard. And I think the nearest piping would about 10-15ft away from where I want to plant. Would it be a problem? Thanks

[@InfinityStardust]

What type of the crabapple tree behind you? What is the name please?

[@bobbyjohnson60]

Bobby

[@rainz62]

That was my question, did you ever get an answer? I've looked at pictures on the internet and it's been difficult to find pictures of the entire tree at maturity. I know I want one that is considered ornamental, know the size and shape but can't find the picture to help me decide. Most of the pictures on the internet haven't been helpful.

[@InfinityStardust]

@@rainz62 No, it has been almost 1 year and I haven’t get the answer! 😅

[@rainz62]

@@InfinityStardust They mentioned a facebook page maybe I'll take a screen shot and see if I can find them and ask there.

[@InfinityStardust]

@@rainz62 That’s so nice of you.😘Thank you in advance!

[@ritalucy8325]

I live in Georgia and Japanese beetles is a problem. What should I spray on it

[@rayellebishop8168]

I have more problems with June Bugs. They eat the leaves at night. I have to go out with a flashlight and make them fall into a bucket of soapy water. This I do every night for a couple weeks until the bugs no longer show up.

[@suesturges6022]

I love them for many reasons. Our prairie fire has had a nasty webbing on them once in a while. I try to find ones that will live the longest and I love how they feed the early robins and cedar waxwings. I live in the center of Iowa. Will check out your other KZbin info. Thank you! December 4, 2022

[@theinvincible7511]

Does these flowers smell..

[@Rosicrisp]

No… my friend has one like the pink one but I’d say take care of the suckers down at the bottom they come up like crazy …I took a few a d Potted them up but I’m wondering if they’ll eventually flower they grow fast

[@theinvincible7511]

@@Rosicrisp so these flowers have no smell..thanks for informing.. 🌿

[@byondvision]

@@Rosicrisp so those "suckers" are off the root tree, not off the crab apple. The Crabapple is "grafted" onto the trunk of a different, stronger tree.

[@UniversalDust]

@@byondvision I'm just learning but from the info I've read crabapple trees are already strong and hardy and our regular apples are grafted onto them. So why would one need to graft a crabapple onto another crabapple if both are strong?

[@byondvision]

@@UniversalDust oh duhhh. U r indeed correct.

[@cindysayavong8513]

The name of that tree you are showing.

[@josephz9006]

Does anyone know if we can grow these in the south

[@IAmHisBeloved5]

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Did you plant one?

[@Quyllur1]

What kind is a fruitless one called? I want a pink one but fruitless. 🤗

[@8474Starscream]

Flowering only

[@railfan100]

@@8474Starscream the ONLY one is SPRING SNOW crabapple white flowers upright habit 20/25 ft tall at maturity.

[@centuriontwofivezeroone2794]

Does anyone know why nobody grows apple trees by placing an apple in the soil, I had imagined that that way would be more natural, after all nature has provided the seeds with a nutritionally well packed "life pod" (the apple). I am a complete novice, so please bare that in mind. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[@pablo-pt6zr]

most will not grow true to seed

[@centuriontwofivezeroone2794]

@@pablo-pt6zr Thank you for answering. Strange though when you think on it.

[@paintpaintpaintco.6039]

The Apple is delicious for a reason, it wants to be eaten. The seed will be carried by a n animal in its stomach and deposited somewhere far away so it can grow that way. Burying an entire apple will cause the seeds to rot. The stomach acids won’t hurt the seeds usualy. With apples specifically it might be different because we have mutated the natural apple tree to be what we want. Usualy you want to cut a green bit of branch and attach it to a bit of crab apple rootstock

[@centuriontwofivezeroone2794]

@@paintpaintpaintco.6039 Makes sense, thanks 👍

[@2021-j2d]

How do you know if your tree is a non fruit bearing tree? I bought one that says “flowering” crabapple Profusion but Idont want a fruit tree which will attract fruit rats in my area.

[@christopherbosch570]

I've seen apples on my crab apple tree once. Could be forbedin good luck finding it crab@sses