Crab apple is any of a wide variety of small trees that bear apples less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter. About 25 species of crab apple trees grow wild in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of them originated in Asia. About 7 species are native to North America. In addition, hundreds of cultivars (cultivated varieties) of crab apple trees have been produced. Most of these cultivars are grown for use as landscape trees, especially in urban areas. Some are raised for their edible fruits, which are mostly used for making jellies.
Most crab apple trees measure less than 30 feet (9 meters) high. The trees produce white to deep pink flowers in the spring. Some bear red or yellow fruits that remain colorful through autumn and early winter. Some crab apple cultivars are particularly resistant to diseases and insects. Such cultivars have made the crab apple the chief flowering landscape tree in most parts of the United States.
