Crab apple trees are popular ornamental trees known for their beautiful spring blossoms and attractive fruit But exactly how big do these trees get? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the typical size and growth rate of different crab apple tree varieties so you can determine if they are a good fit for your landscape.
An Overview of Crab Apple Tree Sizes
Crab apple trees are relatively small, growing 15 to 25 feet tall at maturity. However, there is quite a bit of variability between cultivars. Some may only reach 8 to 10 feet tall, topping out at 12 to 15 feet wide. These are suitable for planting in small yards or even in large containers.
On the other end of the spectrum larger crab apple varieties may attain heights over 25 feet, with an equal or greater spread. These make nice small shade trees or specimens for larger landscapes.
The growth rate of crab apples is considered moderate, averaging about 12 to 24 inches per year. It takes at least 5 years for even the fastest growing types to reach their mature height. Some may take 7 to 10 years to fully fill out.
Factors Affecting Crab Apple Tree Size
Several factors play a role in determining the ultimate height and width of your crab apple tree:
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Rootstock – Most named cultivars are grafted onto hardy rootstock, which controls the size of the canopy. Standard trees are grafted onto seedling rootstock. Dwarf or semi-dwarf trees use cloned dwarfing rootstock.
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Pruning – Regular pruning when the tree is young helps shape its form. Allowing the central leader and side branches to grow freely results in a larger tree over time.
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Growing Conditions – Rich soil, ample sunlight and proper irrigation allow crab apple trees to reach their maximum growth potential. Trees grown in shade or poor soil will likely be smaller.
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Cultivar – Genetics primarily dictate the natural size of the tree. Always choose a variety suited to the space you have available.
Typical Mature Heights of Popular Varieties
To give you a better idea of how big crab apple trees get, here are some average mature heights for popular cultivars:
- ‘Whitney’ – 20 to 25 feet
- ‘Prairifire’ – 15 to 20 feet
- ‘Red Baron’ – 12 to 15 feet
- ‘Sugar Tyme’ – 8 to 10 feet
- ‘Coralburst’ – 5 to 8 feet
Dwarf varieties like ‘Coralcole’ and ‘Coralburst’ make excellent choices where space is limited. For open yards, larger types like ‘Whitney’ or ‘Adams’ can provide small shade trees.
Tips for Planting Crab Apples in the Right Spot
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For street side plantings, choose columnar or upright varieties that won’t interfere with power lines as they mature.
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Allow plenty of room between the tree and structures like your home or garage. Don’t plant them in high traffic areas where falling fruit can be a nuisance.
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Group multiple small crab apples together to create an ornamental grove, or use them as specimens flanking entries or fences.
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Match the predicted mature height to the location. Avoid planting a large variety in a tight spot where it will eventually be overgrown.
Enjoying These Ornamental Beauties for Years to Come
With their profusion of spring blossoms and neat growth habit, crab apple trees deserve a spot in many landscapes. Just be sure to select the proper mature height for your location, and provide adequate care. Then you’ll be able to enjoy their seasonal beauty for years to come.
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A Petite Flowering Tree with a Profusion of Showy, Pink Blooms!
- Bold, pink flowers blanket the tree in spring
- Beautifully shaped tree that fits in small yards
- Disease resistant and low maintenance
- Pollinates your Apple trees!
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| Soil Type | Adaptable, Well Drained |
| Sunlight | Full |
| Drought Tolerance | Good |
| Mature Height | 15-20 Feet |
| Mature Width | 20-30 Feet |
| Fall Color | Orange |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Brand | Southern Living® |
| Shipping Restriction | AZ, CA, ID, OR, WA |
Looking for a beautiful tree to put in your yard that will give you shade, flowers, and color? The Profusion Crabapple tree has all of these things and more! In the spring, it has a lot of beautiful pink flowers that cover its shape. You’ll love the shiny green leaves that don’t fall off when the flowers do. They bring this tree to life.
These lovely, oval, apple leaves turn a golden copper in fall. In early fall you will see miniature apples on your tree. These little red flowers can be left alone to look pretty, or you can make crabapple jelly with them if you’re more of a Dare to Pin kind of person.
The Profusion Crabapple is a beautiful tree that grows to be 15 to 20 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. It makes a great focal point for almost any yard. The Profusion Crabapple thrives in full sun and just about any type of soil. It is also disease and pest resistant, low maintenance, and extremely hardy.
The Profusion Crabapple can even tolerate salt, pollution, and deer. Plus, the Profusion Crabapple helps many apple trees grow—including Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady, to name a few! This easy-to-care-for and beautiful tree will give you years of enjoyment. Buy a tree your family will love today—get your Profusion Crabapple!
How Fast Does This Crabapple Tree Grow?
Expect the profusion to grow at a medium growth rate to a mature height of 20-25 feet.
How To Prune A Profusion Crabapple Tree
Prune this tree in late winter to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches, or to maintain shape.
Are Crabapples Edible?
This tree bears small apples that can be eaten and are great for making crabapple jelly in the early fall. Profusion Crabapple Tree Care.
When you plant your Profusion, make sure you put it in the right place and give it the right conditions to grow well. Spring and Fall are ideal times to plant. You can plant your apple tree almost any time of the year, as long as it doesn’t get too cold or too hot. Crabapple trees thrive in full sun and well drained soil. Water deeply when planting and twice weekly for 1 to 3 months while your tree is establishing. After the establishment period, it’s best to water deeply once a week in the spring and summer and once a month in the fall and winter for the first year. After the first year you will only need to water during dry spells. Adding a layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch is recommended especially with newly planted trees. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as this increases the chances of pests and disease. Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost. Choose a slow release fertilizer. Before putting the tree in the hole, mix the fertilizer into the soil so that the roots don’t get burned. Prune your Crabapple in late winter to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches, or to maintain shape. The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering, and fertilization are the keys to your success. Scale, Aphids, and Mites are insects that can affect Crabapple trees. You can treat these pests naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections you can use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. Japanese Beetles are sometimes an issue for Apple trees. These can be treated with an organic powder called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Luckily, the Profusion Crabapple is disease resistant and only rarely encounters problems with disease.
Everything You Need To Know About Crab Apples!
FAQ
What are the drawbacks to crabapple trees?
How long does it take for a crabapple tree to grow to full size?
Are crabapple trees high maintenance?
How much space does a crab apple need?
How big do crabapple trees get?
The smallest crabapple trees can be small shrub-like bushes around 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. Larger crabapples can grow to between 20 and 30 ft. (6 – 9 m). Most crabapple trees thrive in zones USDA 4 through 8. However, some cultivars are cold-hardy to zones 2 or 3. The most attractive aspect of crabapple trees is their delightful spring blossoms.
When do crabapple trees bloom?
**Flowering crabapple trees** typically bloom in the spring months, which are usually around **April and May**.However, the exact timing can vary based on the **cultivar** and the overall **growing conditions**
What kind of apples grow on a crabapple tree?
Royal Raindrops crabapple trees. Magenta-pink blooms appear in mid-spring on crabapples ‘Royal Raindrops.’ This crabapple species has unusual deeply-lobed leaves and produces tiny apple fruits. Lollipop crabapple trees. Spectacular white flowers spear in spring. This dwarf apple tree has upward growing branches and small amber-colored apples.
How long does a crabapple tree take to grow?
These small to medium-sized trees are extremely popular for their fragrant, delicate spring blossoms. Crabapple trees are normally planted from potted nursery specimens in the fall. They have a moderate growth rate of 12 to 24 inches per year, and a 5-gallon potted tree may take three to five years or even longer before it flowers heavily.