In Virginia (8/27/10 - 9/5/10) Crabapple in Deb's orchard. See next pic for comparison with a different type of Crabapple. (see
In Virginia (8/27/10 - 9/5/10) Crabapple in Deb's orchard. See next pic for comparison with a different type of Crabapple. (see description) I think this is a Crabapple. Debbie doesn't think it is. She took me to her doctor's (next pic) to see a full grown Crabapple tree.
The insets show the clusters of fruit at the ends of the branches, the spiny growths at the lower branches that look and feel like thorns, but are really sharp twigs, and the fruit that has markings similar to a pumpkin.
Update 9/30/2012:
From Viette Nurseries in Fishersville, VA, (off of 81) just a hop and a skip from Staunton:
http://www.viette.com/v.php?pg=768
"The crabapples are a very diverse group of trees. They vary in flower color (white to shades of pink to red) and timing of bloom, in fruit color (red to orange to yellow, even green) and also fruit size. Different sizes and shapes of the trees themselves also add to their diversity.
One of the great benefits of having some beautiful crabapples in your landscape is that the fruit provides an excellent source of food for the wild birds in the area. Many different birds will be attracted to your home including waxwings, bluebirds, wrens, robins, and mockingbirds. According to Andre, the small fruited varieties (fruit less than 3/4") are preferred by birds." - Viette Nurseries
ALSO: I can't remember where I read it, but it seems that sometimes Crabapples are used as pollinators for other Apple varieties.
Ah, here is a link for that:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7336191_crabapple-pollinate-other-fruit-trees_.html
"A member of the genus Malus and a close relative of the apple, the crabapple is often used as an ornamental landscape tree. Although not useful for pollinating nonapple species such as peaches or pears, the crabapple serves an important role in the pollination of apple trees." - ehow
It's ehow, so maybe needs to be checked with another source or two, but not today... (sigh)
The insets show the clusters of fruit at the ends of the branches, the spiny growths at the lower branches that look and feel like thorns, but are really sharp twigs, and the fruit that has markings similar to a pumpkin.
Update 9/30/2012:
From Viette Nurseries in Fishersville, VA, (off of 81) just a hop and a skip from Staunton:
http://www.viette.com/v.php?pg=768
"The crabapples are a very diverse group of trees. They vary in flower color (white to shades of pink to red) and timing of bloom, in fruit color (red to orange to yellow, even green) and also fruit size. Different sizes and shapes of the trees themselves also add to their diversity.
One of the great benefits of having some beautiful crabapples in your landscape is that the fruit provides an excellent source of food for the wild birds in the area. Many different birds will be attracted to your home including waxwings, bluebirds, wrens, robins, and mockingbirds. According to Andre, the small fruited varieties (fruit less than 3/4") are preferred by birds." - Viette Nurseries
ALSO: I can't remember where I read it, but it seems that sometimes Crabapples are used as pollinators for other Apple varieties.
Ah, here is a link for that:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7336191_crabapple-pollinate-other-fruit-trees_.html
"A member of the genus Malus and a close relative of the apple, the crabapple is often used as an ornamental landscape tree. Although not useful for pollinating nonapple species such as peaches or pears, the crabapple serves an important role in the pollination of apple trees." - ehow
It's ehow, so maybe needs to be checked with another source or two, but not today... (sigh)
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