How to Care for Flowering Crab Trees

With colors ranging from white to deep red and more than 700 varieties, crabapple trees attract people and animals alike. Unlike a true apple, this tree yields fruit less than 2 inches in size. Loamy or slightly acidic soils suit crabapples best but they can adapt to thrive in many locations provided that there is enough water and sunlight.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Pruning shears
• Fertilizer
• Water
• Sharp knife
• Gloves

How to Care for Flowering Crab Trees

1. Remove your tree from its container and slice the root ball 1 inch deep in at least three places from top to bottom. This will prevent the roots from binding or wrapping around themselves and aid them to spread out with growth.

2. Plant the crab tree in a location that will provide eight to 12 hours of sunlight and good drainage. It is better to choose a drier area as opposed to a moist area, which can lead to root rot and other potential problems. Do not plant the tree more than 1 to 2 inches higher than the original height of the top of the roots.

3. Fill the hole with soil three quarters of the way and fill the remaining with water. Wait for the water to recede and fill the hole with a mixture of 50 percent soil and 50 percent organic matter such as leaves or moss. Top the soil around the tree with a layer of mulch no more than 2 inches thick to retain water and maintain weeds.

4. Water the tree with about 1 inch of water each week for the first year.

5. Apply fertilizer containing 2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet if the tree leaves are small or pale green or the overall growth is minimal. Fertilizer is not necessary if the soil contains a good amount of organic matter for the first year. (Additional information on tree fertilizing can be found below.)

6. Prune water sprouts and suckers, the rapidly growing shoots on the branches and base, as well as parts that are dead or diseased in early June. Pruning later than July will result in a reduction of flowering and fruiting. Occasional trimming from the center may be needed for densely grown trees.

7. Diagnose diseases using the proper treatment. Apple scab, leaf spot, and fireblight are the most common crabapple diseases. Often a fungicide can treat the problem.

8. Remove caterpillars with gloves or by pruning. While most trees are pest resistant, a limited number of pests can cause damage that can be treated with insecticides.

References

• Landscape America
• Tree Help

Resources

• Crabapple Fertilizing
• Pest and Insect Treatment