What’s the distinction between a crabapple tree and an apple tree? It could seem like the beginning of a humorous tale, yet it’s genuinely puzzling when that tree in your garden begins producing apples—or seemingly so.
Ornamental crabapple trees and common apple trees both belong to the Malus genus, yet the juicy apples typically envisioned during a bite come from what scientists call Malus domestica trees. Numerous varieties exist within this species.
varieties of crab apple trees suitable for cultivation in your garden
, with hundreds of cultivars in total and thousands of named apple cultivars, so saying apple trees or crabapple trees will always look or grow a certain way is like comparing apples to… well, crabapples.
That said, there are still some basic ways you can compare the two to find out which type of tree you’re looking at. The number one way to tell apple trees and crabapple trees apart is by looking at their fruit — both trees fruit in the late summer to early fall, but apples will be larger than crabapples. Crabapples are under 2 inches in diameter, but these red and yellow fruits can be as small as 1/4 inch depending on the type. Apples, on the other hand, mostly grow to at least 2 inches in diameter, and often larger.
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Alternative Methods for Distinguishing Between Apple Trees and Crabapple Trees
It’s simpler to differentiate between crabapple and regular apple trees during their fruiting season, yet you can still spot the differences throughout the entire year. Indeed, the specifics of these trees might appear quite alike at first glance, as each typically boasts egg-shaped leaves with jagged margins arranged alternately along their branches. Additionally, both types of tree blossom into beautiful flowers whose hues may differ slightly but commonly range from white to various shades of pink.
The blossoming time of the tree might offer a clue. Different crabapples usually flower between April and early June based on their variety and where they grow, whereas apples display an even broader span of blossom times according to their kind and site. Early-season trees tend to bloom during spring, while those at the end of the season produce flowers towards the close of summer. However, these patterns aren’t absolute; nonetheless, they could provide insight into identifying your particular tree.
Regardless of the season, you should consider the total height of the tree. Crabapple trees typically grow shorter compared to apple trees because they require less space to store nutrients for their smaller fruits. Although both types have compact versions, an ordinary crabapple tree often reaches heights between 15 to 20 feet, whereas typical apple trees tend to be taller, measuring about 30 feet high.
If you’re growing a crabapple tree, avoid these common mistakes
and if it’s an ordinary apple tree,
grow and care for your apple tree
well so you can enjoy the fruit for years to come!
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