Description of Plant

Leaf: 5-10 cm in length and 4 cm in width. The leaves are ovate and saw toothed. Both the blades and leafstalks have fine red hairs when young.

Flower: The flowers appear in spring in clusters on long stalks; they are nearly 4 cm in width and have white or plink petals.

Fruit: The fruit matures in late summer and looks like a small apple. It is 2.5 - 3 cm in diameter.

Twig: The twigs are a reddish-brown color and are covered with gray hairs when young.

Bark: The bark is reddish-brown and may be fissured or scaly.

Form: This is a small tree with a short trunk and stout branches that form a broad open crown.

Discussion of Plant

This is the most common form of crab apple tree. It originated in the Ohio Valley and was brought to Illinois to be used as an ornamental tree. The fruit of this tree matures in the late summer and can be used to make cider and preserves. Numerous species of birds and small animals also consume the fruit of this tree.

Copyright

© Sue Grabowski, Gail Slowinski, Carl Schurz High School 2003

References

Coombes, Allen, J, Smithsonian Handbook of Trees, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2002.

Little, Elbert, L., Field Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1980.

Symonds, George, W.D., The Tree Identification Book, Quill Publishing, New York, N.Y. 1958.