crabapple (Malus)
First place champion weeping crabapple (Malus ‘pendula’) in Denver.
Species info:
Leaves: Simple, alternate leaves that are typically ovate to elliptic. Summer color ranges from bright green to deep burgundy depending on cultivar. Fall color varies from yellow to red.
Leaflets: None (simple leaves).
Leaf Surface: Smooth, sometimes glossy; margins finely serrated. Emerging foliage may be reddish on some cultivars.
Bark: Gray-brown, smooth when young, becoming scaly or slightly furrowed with age. Often partially obscured by low branching and dense flowering spurs.
Twigs: Slender, gray-brown, often bearing numerous short spur branches that produce flowers and fruit.
Flowers: Single (5-petaled) blossoms in shades of white, pink, rose, carmine, or deep red. Extremely showy in early spring, typically mid-April to mid-May depending on elevation. Flowers may be fragrant and occur in clusters along short spur shoots and on young wood.
Fruit: Small pomes (crabapples), size ranging from ¼ inch to 2 inches depending on cultivar. Colors include yellow, orange, red, or purplish-black. Fruit may persist through winter or drop, depending on type. Can be messy in high-traffic areas.
Botanical: Malus
Family: Rosaceae
Mature Height: Typically 15–25 feet depending on species and cultivar
Canopy Spread: Varies widely by type; often equal to or greater than height
Foliage Type: Deciduous broadleaf
Flower: Showy
Fruit: Edible, but mostly ornamental value
Tree Shape: Highly variable—rounded, spreading, upright, vase-shaped, or weeping depending on cultivar
Growth Rate: Medium to fast
Water Use: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates periodic dryness once established
Hardiness: Generally Zone 2 or warmer; widely adaptable across Colorado including higher elevations
Soil Preference: Performs best in well-drained loam; tolerates clay and alkaline soils typical of Colorado
Sun Exposure: Full sun; essential for abundant blooms, good fruiting, and disease resistance
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract pollinators; fruit (where present) feeds birds and mammals
Wood: Hard, dense, and fine-grained typical of Malus specie
Pests/Pathogens: Fire blight is the most significant issue; susceptibility varies by variety; Cedar-apple rust can cause leaf spotting and early defoliation; minor issues may include apple scab or insect pests depending on cultivar
Planting Recommendation: Most varieties are recommended for most sites, with variable disease resistance. Consider fruitless varieties where fruit drop is concern.
Information Sources:
Front Range Tree Recommendation List
Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)
