Product Description
$19.95 – $40.95
This grafted crabapple bears quarter-sized+ crabapples annually that fall free from the tree from October through December, with many persisting into January in the north. #5 Crabapple is a tree where deer are beating paths down to get apples in late November, December, and January here in Pennsylvania as colder temperatures come. This crabapple is highly resistant or immune to cedar apple rust, fireblight, scab, and powdery mildew.
The vigor of this tree is extreme, as it compounds growth very fast. #5 Crabapple is exceptional in many ways, from growth to production to disease resistance. It’s a wildlife tree and one that does its job very well.
Therefore, I would encourage you to plant this tree even in the Deep South if you want a bulletproof tree-dropping crabapple in November and December. The mature height of #5 crabapple is 20’+ and suitable for plant hardiness zones 5-9.
Description
#5 CRABAPPLE
This grafted crabapple bears quarter-sized crabapples annually that fall free from the tree from October through December. #5 is a crabapple tree where deer are beating paths down to get apples in late November, December, and January here in Pennsylvania. #5 Crabapple is highly resistant or immune to cedar apple rust, fireblight, and powdery mildew.
The vigor of this tree is extreme as it compounds growth very fast. #5 Crabapple is exceptional in many ways, from growth, production, and disease resistance. It’s a wildlife tree and one that does its job very well. The mature height of #5 crabapple is 20’+ and suitable for plant hardiness zones 5-8.
#5 Crabapple originates from southwestern Pennsylvania and is made possible by whitetail and fruit enthusiast Richard Grimes. He is fortunate to have some fantastic chance seedlings that have grown into trees, such as #5, growing on his property from the remnants of an old apple orchard. Through grafting trees, we all enjoy the benefits of adding an exceptional wildlife tree, such as #5 Crabapple, to our properties.
This tree has already proven to be bulletproof into the deep south. If you’re looking to plant one of the best crabapples in states such as Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and Oklahoma, #5 is one to be planting. The fruit is released from the tree and falls free during November and December in this region.
The #5 Crabapple is made by using plant tissue from the original tree and attaching it to the new roots. This process essentially gives you an identical tree to the one you see in the picture and description.
TREE SIZE FOR #5 CRABAPPLE
2-3′ ( 3/8″ dia.) These trees will have a good root system. They will be whips around 3′ high with a trunk diameter of 3/8″.
3-5′ ( 1/2″ dia.) These trees will have a good root system with some possible branching but will mainly be whips. They will range in height between 3′ and 5′ and have a trunk diameter of around 1/2″.
4-6′ (+ 1/2” dia.) These trees have an extensive root system and typically have multiple branches, but many will be solid whips. They will range in height between 4′ and 6′ with a trunk diameter of 1/2″ to 5/8″.
2-yr 4-6′ (5/8”-3/4″ dia.) These two-year-old trees will have an extensive root system and many times multiple branches. They will have a diameter of 5/8″ and greater. We will prune the trees back to a shipping height of 66″ with the roots. Our largest box is 66 “x 14″ x 15” and will hold 17 of the two-year-old trees. Free local pick-up is available in the surrounding states of Pennsylvania.
2-yr 4-6′ (select): These two-year-old trees will be the largest available. They will be feathered and have our greatest diameter towards that 3/4”. We will prune the trees back to a shipping height of 66″ with the roots. Our largest box is 66 “x 14″ x 15” and will hold 14 select two-year-old trees. Free local pick-up is available in the surrounding states of Pennsylvania.
ROOTSTOCK FOR #5 CRABAPPLE
This grafted tree is attached to a standard, cold hardy, and vigorous root. This rootstock is an excellent choice for wildlife trees because it produces a full-size 20′ to 30′ tree. Producing a full-size tree for wildlife means much more fruit on a given tree. A full-size root also extends the life of your tree as it does not restrict the growth.
This rootstock will develop deep roots, making it exceptionally well anchored. Therefore, it also makes them highly drought-tolerant. These roots will penetrate well into the subsoil, pulling up lost nutrients. Therefore, this root is an excellent all-around rootstock for wildlife plantings. #5 Crabapple is very precocious, with many trees producing very quickly even when grafted onto a standard root
POLLINATION FOR #5 CRABAPPLE
Plant at least one apple, apple crab, or crabapple variety near each other for pollination. Grams Gift crabapple, which blooms for a very long period, makes an excellent pollinator for apples and crabapples.
You want to plant different named trees within the apple family for pollination. Therefore, you need to mix the names of the grafted trees when planting, as trees with the same name are genetically identical and, most times, do not pollinate each other.
Picture that bee leaving one tree and hitting the next one. You want that bee to land on a tree blossom with a different name. Trees in the apple family flower over about 14 days, with each tree blooming for around 7 to 10 days. #5 Crabapple blooms in mid-season, therefore providing plenty of pollination to early and late-season trees and receiving plenty.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Plant all apples and crabapples in moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7. This soil should have adequate nutrient levels for optimal growth and fruit production.
If you have not completed a soil test, click here to improve your soil. Many products can supply your tree with the two most essential nutrients: phosphorus and potassium. However, adjust these nutrients when planting your tree or the prior year, as the soil two feet into the earth has never had any amendments, and these two nutrients are not very mobile.
Per a soil test, if your soil pH is lower than recommended, you can adjust it by mixing a few handfuls of pelletized lime into your soil when planting.
#5 Crabapple requires 6 hours of direct sunlight for growth and fruit production. Space trees 20′ apart and use cages of at least 5′ cut to 7′ 8” to protect your trees. This process will ensure your deer eat your fruit in a few years, not your trees this year.
We also recommend wrapping an aluminum window screen around the base of your tree, using a 2’x 2′ breathable weed mat, and adding 10 gallons of stone to that weed mat.
SHIPPING/PICK UP
Shipping to Plant Hardiness zones 2 – 8 will begin in early March (you select your ship date) and continue until the last Monday in April. Dormant bare-root trees must be planted in the spring, while trees in your area remain dormant. You can select your ship date when you check out on the website. If you are looking for winter shipping, write me at ryan@bluehillwildlifenursery.com
The last week in March or the first week in April is perfect for planting in Pennsylvania. Free local pick-up is also available in the surrounding states. When you check out on the website, you can select your pick-up date for these two weeks. However, if you can not make the selected date, please call or message us to make an appointment.
We are open 8-4 Monday through Friday for tree pick-up.
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Additional information
| Weight | 18 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 58 × 2.30 × 2.30 in |
| Tree Size | 2-3' (3/8''dia.), 3-5' (1/2'' dia.), 4-6' (+1/2'' dia.), 2-yr old 4-6' (+5/8''dia.), 2-yr Select |
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Returns: We have been shipping plants around the country for quite some time now. We provide
healthy live plants. We take every effort to ensure that your plants are packed in a way that
maintains that health as they arrive to you. We can not be responsible for how plants are handled
when they leave our care or are handled by customers.
Tree care: If you plant your tree up on high dry ground they may need watered through the first
summer, if you plant too low and wet your trees may drown. Be careful of the herbicide you may
use around the tree (read the label). I want you and your trees to succeed but if you don't tube or
cage them the deer will eat your tree that night.
Hours: We do not keep regular hours. If you would like to visit the nursery, just call, send a
message or email. Anyone is more than welcome.
Selected pickup dates: Trees can be picked up in the spring as soon as you can dig in your soil.
Trees need to be picked by the end of April. Before picking up, please contact us letting us know
when you are planning to come so we can have your order ready for you when you arrive.
Shipping: When buying grafted trees, depending on the amount of trees you order will determine
the size box the trees will be shipped in. If you order 8 or fewer two-year-old trees, they will fit into a 66''x10''x10'' box. Ordering 9 to 16 two-year-old trees will fit into a 66''x15''x14'' box. Ordering 16 or more two year old trees will fill into 2 or more boxes, depending on the total amount of trees bought. Trees may need to be professionally pruned to fit in these boxes. Ship dates will be selected by you before completing you order. We ship trees from early March to late April. You should select a ship date that is suitable for the location you are planting your trees. Trees will ship through UPS on Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s.
You will receive an email notification when your trees ship. When trees arrive, plant as soon as possible. If you cannot, it
would be best to heal them into soil or store in a cool place not allowing roots to freeze but not
allowing the trees to become warm.
If Tree Tube products are the only items you purchase then they will ship as soon as the order is
received. You may have to select a ship date but I can assure you if you are just ordering tree
tubes they will ship immediately. If Tree Tube products are purchased with trees, then they will
ship with the trees.
Due to the cost of shipping there will be a minimum of 4 trees that have to be purchased in order
for checkout to occur. Due to phytosanitary regulations, we do not ship to California. We also do not ship chestnut trees to Washington, Florida or Oregon State. Trees will be packaged correctly to meet the shipping requirements for Idaho and all other states.
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A grafted, fast-growing tree with good disease resistance produces abundant annual crops of 1 ¾" crabapples that are good for eating out of hand and the deer. It is a highly vigorous tree and produces fruit annually. In a no-spray situation, I have seen excellent resistance to cedar apple rust, fireblight, and powdery mildew. I have seen apple scab develop on leaves and fruit in a no-spray situation in years of excessive rain, but the tree is still one of my favorites.
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Only available in 2-yr trees.
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
This grafted crabapple produces 1 ½’’ apples that look and taste like a little Golden Delicious. The big difference is this tree begins bearing fruit heavily at a very young age. Grams Gift™ typically fruits the same year you plant it. Remove the fruit from this tree for the first few years as it will debilitate growth as it always heavily sets an amazing amount of fruit on young trees. This Tree is Self-fertile and one of the most productive trees I have ever seen. Grams Gift™ has excellent disease resistance, begins dropping in September, persists through October, and into November. In a no spray situation, Grams gift™ has excellent resistance to apple scab, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, and fireblight. Gram gift™ produces abundant annual crops of crabapples in clusters on 1-year-old wood. Gram’s Gift™ produces heavy crops even during years of heavy insect pressure without being sprayed. As you can see, the fruit in this picture is almost flawless. Don't let the name full you on this tree. This is an exceptional tree in many ways and is a gift from my grandmother. This crabapple blooms for over a month. Frost is not going to get this tree! Grams Gift™ will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness Zones 5-8
Only available in 2-yr trees.
$19.95 – $40.95
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
This grafted crabapple tree is becoming quite popular for its late drop and consistent annual crops. Golden Hornet is a commercial variety typically grown as an ornamental crab apple. These 1 1/2’’ very edible crabapples fall at a very good time, varies by location, but typically starts dropping at a fast rate after the first few frosts in mid to late October. Golden Hornet will retain a good amount of apples and drop through into winter. This tree is self-fertile, an excellent pollinator with average disease resistance and is susceptible to Cedar Apple Rust. Golden Hornet will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness zones 4-7
Only available in 2-yr trees.
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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