Crab apple trees may not produce the tastiest apples, unless you’re a big fan of the bitterness, but they’re some of the prettiest trees around. That said, if you’re unfamiliar with crab apple trees, you’ll probably be a little disappointed when they don’t bloom in the winter, or if there is a factor that limits when they bloom, it helps to know how to address it.
So, when do crab apple trees bloom? Well, stick around to find out. In this article, we take you through when crab apple trees bloom and the factors that impact when they bloom. Read on to learn more below.
What Is a Crab Apple Tree?
You’ve probably heard of an apple. Whether you’re a fan of them or love the age-old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” you may not know what a crab apple is. Well, crab apples are like the apple’s little cousin. These are smaller apples that grow on trees that are closely related to the apple tree.
The main difference is that crab apples are smaller and have a more sour flavor profile. It’s for this reason that people tend to use them for baking more often than eating. However, one of the many reasons that people love crab apple trees is due to their beauty.
While there are differences between crab apple trees, you’ll find that these trees are known for being beautiful landscape trees with gorgeous spring blossoms. You’ll find a wide variety of different colors, apple sizes, and much more, so it’s important to consider getting the right tree before you commit to one.
When Do Crab Apple Trees Bloom?
More often than not, you’ll find that crab apple trees bloom in the early spring months. Typically, many trees start to bloom during April and May. That said, some trees will bloom in June and July. This is due to the fact that every crab apple tree is unique and that there are several factors that impact when crab apple trees bloom.
Learn more about these factors below.
The Type of Crab Apple Tree
First and foremost, it’s important to note that the type of crab apple tree determines when it blooms. For example, you’ll find that single-flowered crab apple trees tend to bloom before double-flowered crab apple trees.
Therefore, you can expect single-flowered crab apple trees to bloom during April and May, while double-flowered crab apple trees tend to bloom towards the end of May and sometimes even into June and July.
Climate
Another important factor that influences when a crab apple tree blooms is the weather and climate. In fact, it’s not just the weather in the spring or summer that impacts when a crab apple tree will bloom. For example, a dry fall may lead to fewer flowers blooming during the early spring months.
Furthermore, winters that don’t have many cold months can delay a crab apple tree’s blooming process. Therefore, even if you live in a place that experiences consistent four seasons, the variation in how those seasons play out can delay your crab apple tree’s blooming.
The Age of the Tree
Just like people, crab apple trees need a few years to fully develop. You may find that it takes around three to four years for a crab apple tree to fully mature, and before this point, you might only see a few flowers every spring.
For this reason, if you recently planted a crab apple tree, there’s no need to hit the panic button until it’s been a few years.
The Amount of Sunlight a Crab Apple Tree Gets
Sure, the climate is important when planting a crab apple tree, but so is the location on your property where you plant it. Due to the fact that crab apple trees need a lot of sunlight, if you plant them in shady areas on your property, they may not start to blossom until the sun fully reaches them.
In some cases, you may just have to wait until the sun is at a different position, but in other cases, a crab apple tree might not bloom at all with insufficient sunlight. For these reasons, it’s important to carefully consider where you’re planting your crab apple tree.
When Do Crab Apple Trees Bloom? Our Final Thoughts
So, when do crab apple trees bloom? At the end of the day, you can expect crab apple trees to bloom in the spring. When exactly in spring they bloom depends on the factors that we covered in this guide.
Make sure you get the best crab apple tree possible from a reliable source like this and plant the tree in a spot that gets a lot of sunlight. While you can’t control the climate, make sure you focus on factors you can control.
