tree

Crab apple

Malus sylvestris

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Crab apple (Malus sylvestris) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water. Companions: Apple, Dandelion.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to part shade
Watermedium

↑ Gives back

Fruitsmall, tart apples
Biomassmedium
Pollenabundant
Nectarabundant

Companions

Through the year

Flowering

Flowering occurs after chill fulfillment and when air temperatures consistently rise above 100C in spring.

Fruiting

Fruit development begins approximately 90 days after flowering and continues for about two months.

Harvest

Fruits are typically ready for harvest in September.

Senescence

Leaves begin to senesce and drop with the first autumn frosts and shortening days.

Dormancy

The tree enters dormancy after the first hard frosts of autumn, lasting through winter.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatespotassium, calcium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, grafting
Difficulty3 / 5
Establishes in~3 yr
Stratificationrequires cold stratification for 60-90 days
Self-seedingLight
Divisionnot applicable

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators, beneficial_insects, birds
Can host pestsaphids, codling_moth, apple_scab
Can host diseasesfire_blight, cedar_apple_rust