Information on Sugar Tyme Crabapple Trees
Sugar Tyme crabapple tree (Malus x 'Sutyzam') is a largely disease resistant ornamental crabapple tree characterized by snowy white flowers and rich red fruits. The ornamental tree can be used in pairs to frame an entry or gateway, or as a single specimen. Sugar tyme also works well as a shade tree thanks to its dense canopy of leaves. Does this Spark an idea?
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Appearance
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Sugar Tyme is a vigorous deciduous tree that has an upright trunk and a broad canopy. The tree grows to be about 18 feet tall, with a spread of about 15 feet. Snow white flowers appear from light pink flower buds in spring, and are followed by red crabapples that often persist into winter. Flowers are quite fragrant. The dense green leaves gradually turn a rich shade of golden yellow in the fall.
Planting
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Plant Sugar Tyme in a full sun location in USDA zones 4 to 8. Do not plant near turf grass, as it will compete for water and nutrients. Use a half and half mixture of soil and an organic matter such as leaf humus, compost or peat moss. Water thoroughly when planting, and continue to water regularly for the first year. Young crabapple trees require at least an inch of water a week in order to establish a healthy root system.
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Maintenance
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Apply a thin layer of mulch (two inches or less) around the tree to help suppress weeds and retain water in the soil. Pruning is not generally necessary, except to remove dead, diseased or broken branches. Light pruning can improve air circulation in the center of the tree. Sugar Tyme will benefit from a boost of general purpose fertilizer in the spring, before new growth appears. Remove suckers, the shoots that emerge from the base of the tree.
Problems
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Sugar Tyme is a disease resistant cultivar that has few serious problems. Water regularly, especially during periods of drought. Trees not watered during extreme summer heat may wither and die, or less seriously, produce fewer flowers or fruits the following year. Nest forming caterpillars such as the eastern tent caterpillar and the fall webworm can cause mild foliage damage. These pests are easily removed by handpicking or by light pruning.
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References
- Photo Credit White flowers on trees image by Katya Mikhlin from Fotolia.com
