How do crab apples care for us?
Here we are with Crab Apple, the wild ancestor of all our common apples. The vigorously pollinating wild companion that nourishes the ecosystem. The intimate partner of lichen, themselves a wild multispecies commune. This wildness is ancient, ancestral, sometimes bitter, fruitful, interconnected, and life giving.
Crab Apples are excellent pollinators, supporting all other apple trees in the area Their wood is often used in smoked foods and burns hot and slow without producing much flame. Their flowering season is earlier and longer than many other species, giving bees a reliable food source.
They help to prevent soil and rock erosion due to their deeper root systems, and they act as a natural filter for water to filter out toxins. Apples contain a powerful anti-oxidant, slowing aging in body tissues.
How to care for crab apples?
Water:To care for a crabapple, water deeply and consistently (especially when young)
Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch mulch ring (away from the trunk) to retain moisture and protect roots from mowers
Prune: in late winter remove dead/crossing branches, suckers, and water sprouts to improve air circulation and prevent disease like apple scab.
Light: Ensure they get at least 6 hours of sun
Soil: Plant in well-drained soil to reduce stress and disease susceptibility.
Words from community here