Southern Crab is native to the southeast states, and it is one of only a few types of apples that are native to North America. Like many of our native plums, our native crabs are going extinct because of how our landscapes and ways of life are always changing. These animals were more common when there were more old fields and grasslands that were burned off every so often. They don’t do well in the “big woods,” where they can’t get enough sunlight.
Every spring, Southern Crab has attractive pinkish-white flowers. Pollinators use both the flowers and the leaves to spread pollen. The leaves also increase the number of good bugs (think bird food) in the area. Even though they can get up to 30 feet tall in an orchard, they can stay pretty small when planted in places where they naturally grow higher up. For rabbits, quail, and turkey chicks, the clumpy plants make great cover. They also make a nice place for a deer to lie down. The fruits go from green to blushed, and often ripen to a 1. 5” diameter with a nice pinkish color. Some people find them too sour to eat raw, but they make great jelly or wine, and deer and other animals love to eat them.
Crab apples are the small, sour cousins of the apples we eat and enjoy out of hand. About 25 feet wide and tall, crab apple trees produce fruit that is only about 2 inches in diameter. Though rarely eaten raw, these tiny apples lend a wonderful flavor when cooked, canned, or preserved. Their high pectin content also makes them ideal for jellies and jams.
Though not as widely available commercially as full-sized apples, crab apples can be foraged or sourced through you-pick farms, farmers markets, and specialty grocers when in season Here is some background on crab apples along with tips for finding locations to pick your own or purchase them
What are Crab Apples?
Crab apples are tiny, bitter apples produced by flowering Malus crab apple trees. There are over 800 naturally occurring varietals of crab apples native to North America. The most common types grown for fruit production are Dolgo, Centennial, Whitney, Chestnut, and Transcendent.
Despite their name, crab apples are not actually related to crabs or crustaceans They earned the name “crab” simply because their sour taste and small size made them initially seem unfit for consumption like crabs
Crab apples average only about 1-2 inches in diameter, with most being too tart to enjoy raw. But their eye-catching appearance and zesty flavor make them ideal for cooking, preserves, cider, and jelly.
These mini apples come in a range of colors from yellow and orange to red and purple. Depending on the variety, they mature anywhere from early summer through late fall.
Why Forage for Crab Apples?
Foraging for wild crab apples can be a fun outdoor activity and a source of unique fruit to use in recipes. Benefits of harvesting your own crab apples include:
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Free fruit – You get to enjoy free, organic produce harvested by your own hands. No cost at the grocery store!
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Flavor – Wild crab apples tend to have more intense flavor than cultivated varieties due to growing in less ideal conditions.
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Pectin content – Foragers report wild crab apples have higher natural pectin compared to commercial types, making them superior for jellies.
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Adventure – Searching for fruit trees in wilderness areas or rural regions makes for an enjoyable outdoor adventure.
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Tradition – Crab apple foraging has been practiced for centuries and allows you to take part in this fun, old-fashioned activity.
Where to Find and Forage for Crab Apples
Crab apples grow on short, compact trees in backyards, city parks, wooded areas, meadow edges, and other sites in many regions. Here are some of the top places to look when foraging for crab apples:
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Old homesteads or farmsteads – Search for overgrown trees in abandoned rural properties. Look near old barns, outbuildings, and former farmyards.
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Along trails – Crab apple trees are common along hiking trails, especially in state parks or nature preserves. Check just off-trail within the tree line.
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Roadside or field edges – Scan the borders between roads, fields, and woodlands. Landowners often planted ornamental crab apple trees in these boundary zones.
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Open meadows – Look for crab apples around the perimeter of open, grassy meadows adjacent to forests. Trees like the sun but also appreciate the wind protection.
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Near other fruit trees – Where you find old apple trees, pears, or other fruiting trees, crab apples may grow nearby as pollinators.
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Stream banks – Crab apples do well along small creeks and waterways. The trees stabilize the soil and appreciate the moisture.
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City parks or gardens – Ornamental crab apple trees are commonly planted in urban greenspaces for their attractive blossoms.
Always be 100% sure of an apple’s identity before consuming it. It’s easy to mistake toxic ornamental fruits or inedible wild apples for crab apples. When in doubt, consult an expert for identification. Only harvest fruit you can positively identify.
Purchasing Crab Apples
If foraging isn’t your thing but you still want to get your hands on crab apples, several commercial options exist:
Farmers Markets
Many small orchards and hobby growers sell crab apples at local farmers markets. Prime time is late summer through fall when crab apples are ripe and fresh. Vendors may offer pick-your-own opportunities as well.
Farm Stands or You-Pick Orchards
Some family farms and orchards sell fresh crab apples in late summer through early fall. They may also allow customers to pick their own. These operations are more common in major crab apple growing regions like the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest.
Specialty Grocers
A few specialty food stores like Whole Foods sell fresh crab apples when they’re in season. Most mainstream chains don’t carry them, but natural and organic markets sometimes do. Offerings are hit or miss.
Online Foragers
Several foraging companies sell foraged crab apples online. Foraged foods like mushrooms, ramps, and paw paws are increasingly popular. Some foragers offer crab apples gathered sustainably from wild trees.
If you see fresh crab apples for sale at markets, farms, or specialty stores, snatch them up right away as supply is limited. Ask when they were harvested – fresher is always better.
Storing Your Fresh Crab Apples
Crab apples are highly perishable. Follow these tips to store them correctly:
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Leave stems on until ready to use. The stem protects the fruit and prevents moisture loss.
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Refrigerate immediately in a perforated plastic bag. Storing them at 35-40°F maximizes shelf life.
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Wash just before eating or processing. Wetness encourages mold growth during storage.
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Use within 2-4 weeks for best quality, flavor, and pectin levels. The pectin content diminishes over time.
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Keep an eye out for any mold or soft spots developing and remove those apples immediately.
Enjoy your fresh crab apples right away in recipes like chutneys, compotes, and crisps. For longer term storage, consider canning, freezing, or drying.
Delicious Uses for Crab Apples
Though often overlooked, crab apples offer a tangy, refreshing flavor that enhances many dishes and preserves:
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Jams, jellies, and butters – Crab apples contain lots of natural pectin for excellent gelling ability.
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Compotes, chutneys, and fruit spreads
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Mixed into pancake or muffin batters
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Pureed into vinaigrettes, sauces, and marinades
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Infused into vinegar or verjus
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Crafted into crab apple wine or cider
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Pureed and frozen into sorbet
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Dehydrated into sweet-tart fruit leathers or chips
Don’t let their small size and tartness fool you – crab apples are a delicious, versatile fruit well worth seeking out!
With foraging tips, places to source them, and ideas for using them, you are armed with helpful information for unlocking the potential of underappreciated crab apples. Keep an eye out for these tiny fruiting trees in wilderness areas or track some down at markets. Get ready to enjoy this unique harvest in all kinds of recipes!
Southern Crab Apple Zone Map
Only 1 of the 3 Crab Apples are going to make it. I planted 37 trees in total, and only 3 aren’t sure if they will grow. Two of those three are crab apples. S.
Health roots, essential for the future V
These young Southern Crab Apple trees arrived quickly and in good health. They were also much cheaper than anywhere else I looked, so I have no complaints at all!
Everything was easy and right trees arrived as said and healthy
Southern Crab Apple Planting Tips
Apples do better when they are up and away from the humidity, so plant these in the open and on higher ground. Apples can be more likely to get foliar diseases when they are down at the bottom. Like most apples, Southern Crabs can get Cedar-Apple rust, but they seem to be able to handle it well once they are established in the right place.
| Zone: | 6 – 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.8 – 7.2 |
| Wildlife Value: | Excellent | Deer, Turkey, Fox Squirrel, Bear, insects/pollinators |
| Site Preference: | Full sun |
| Fruit Maturity Date: | Late Summer, Early Fall |
| Fruit: | Pale green blushed yellow |
Everything You Need To Know About Crab Apples!
FAQ
Where are crab apples found?
What month are crab apples ready?
Are there crab apples in Florida?
Are there crab apples in Texas?
Where do crab apples grow?
Crab apples grow in North America, Europe and Asia. This fruit looks like an apple but can be as small as a cherry. Crab apples are a wild type of apple. They’re in the same family as domesticated apples, which are bred to grow larger and taste sweeter. Crab apples come in different shades. They’re usually red with some yellow and green mixed in.
Where can I buy crab apples online?
Buy your favorite Crab Apples online with Instacart. Order Crab Apples from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours. How can you prepare crab apples? Are crab apples healthy?
Can you eat crab apples?
Yes, you can definitely eat crab apples. Although crab apples are not poisonous and can be safely eaten raw, many people often prefer to cook them. On their own, crab apples tend to have a very sour flavor that isn’t for everyone. Crab apples are commonly turned into a jam or preserves, similar to apple jam or apple butter.
What is the difference between a crab apple and an apple?
In fact the difference between a crab apple and an apple is just size…under 2 inches is considered a crab apple. And while you can’t really make a pie with them, they have lots of natural pectin, so you can make jelly, or they can be pickled, or ‘spiced’, and then they make an unforgettable side dish.