Flowering Crab
Growing and Maintaining a Flowering Crab
The flowering crab, more formally known as the flowering crabapple tree, comes in over 35 species and 700 varieties. The flowering crab is a very popular tree for landscaping as it adds a gorgeous aesthetic appeal to any yard or garden. Read on to learn how to properly grow and maintain a flowering crabapple tree.
The flowering crab will usually grow to be around 15 – 25 feet in height, but they can grow as high as 50 feet, depending upon the variety you choose. The spot you select in your yard should be able to accommodate the average size of the species you have picked out. If you fear that the tree may not have enough room, you might want to consider getting a smaller variety of crabapple tree.
While crabapples will grow in many different types of soil, they do best when the soil is moist but has good drainage. Soil that is excessively moist could result in the roots rotting. When digging the hole, you want to make sure that it is at least two times the depth and width of the root ball. Before you put the roots into the ground, make sure to gently loosen them. Try not to break any roots; the idea is to make it easier for them to branch out when the tree is placed in the ground. Make sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground, then proceed to fill in the soil around the roots. You might want to add just a little bit of fertilizer to the soil when you plant the tree. This could prove to give it a nutritional boost during its first year of growth. Spread a thin layer of mulch around the tree to prevent it from losing too much water.
A flowering crab tree doesn’t require a great deal of pruning, but you may want to open up the center of the tree if it begins to look too crowded. As these trees are quite susceptible to disease, it is a good idea to take particular care in raking up the fallen leaves and fruit, as well as trimming any dead or disease-ridden branches. Don’t leave knobs—always cut to a branch off all the way to the “lateral” branch, or the branch that stems from the trunk. If you do decide to prune your crabapple tree, try to do so in April or May. Make sure all pruning is completed by mid-June.
As for general maintenance, crabapple trees are pretty easy. If the first year goes smoothly, you probably won’t need to do any additional watering or fertilizing. If the tree’s leaves seem like a dull green or it hasn’t grown at least five inches in the first year, then you need to add fertilizer to the soil. The only time your tree should need watering is if you are experiencing particularly dry weather. Crabapple trees are fairly hardy when it comes to soil tolerance, but they cannot withstand a drought.
Unfortunately, crabapple trees are fairly prone to disease. Some of the most common are Apple Scab, Frog-Eye Leave Spot, and Fireblight. Spotted fruit and/or leaves and blackened branches are just a few of the characteristics you should keep your eyes out for as your tree grows over the years. If you start to notice any signs of disease, visit your local nursery to see what they can recommend. Many encourage spraying the tree with lime sulfur in March, then following suit with a fungicide. Bear in mind that a fungicide will not undo the damage that has already been done to the tree. It will, however, attempt to prevent the fungus from infecting any other parts of the tree. You can help prevent the development and spread of disease in your tree by raking the fallen leaves and apples from the ground every year and treating a disease as soon as you start to notice symptoms.