HappyValley™ Crabapple

Description

HAPPYVALLEY™ CRABAPPLE

HappyValley™ crabapple is a tree that produces more fruit than possibly any other crabapple in the world. This overproductive crabapple produces more fruit than leaves, yet with its extreme vigor, it still manages to put on a significant amount of vegetative growth while carrying a heavy fruit load. HappyValley™ Crabapple fruits profusely on one-year-old wood, producing a quarter-sized crabapple annually that tends to persist on the tree, slowly dropping from late October through winter. This makes it a perfect tree to feed not only deer but many forms of wildlife, including turkeys and grouse.

The trees here in Pennsylvania locations have shown to be very clean and free of disease in a no-spray situation. This crabapple originated from Happy Valley in State College and has survived temperatures as low as -20, making it suitable for plant hardiness zones 4b-8. HappyValley™ will reach a mature height of 25’+.

 

The HappyValley™ Crabapple is made by using plant tissue from the original tree and attaching it to the new roots. This essentially provides you with an identical tree to the one shown in the picture and description.

TREE SIZE

2-yr 5′-7′ (5/8” dia.) These two-year-old trees will have an extensive root system and can have multiple branches with a diameter of 5/8” or greater. We will be pruning the trees back to a shipping height of 68” with the roots. Our largest box is 70″x 14″x 14″ and will hold 15 of the 2-year trees. Free local pick-up is open to the surrounding states of Pennsylvania.

2-yr 5′-7′ (select): These two 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 68″ with the roots, as our largest box is 70″x 14″ x 14″ and will hold 14 select two-year-old trees. Free local pick-up is available in the surrounding states of Pennsylvania.

 

ROOTSTOCK FOR HAPPYVALLEY™ 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 develops deep roots, making it exceptionally well anchored. Therefore, it is also highly drought-tolerant. These roots penetrate well into the subsoil, pulling up lost nutrients. Therefore, this rootstock is an excellent choice for all-around wildlife plantings. HappyValley™ crabapple is very precocious, with many trees producing fruit quickly, even when grafted onto a standard rootstock.

POLLINATION FOR HAPPYVALLEY™ CRABAPPLE

Plant at least one apple, apple crab, or crabapple variety near each other for pollination. HappyValley™ produces a significant amount of pollen and would be well-suited for pollinating other varieties.

You want to plant different named trees within the apple family for pollination. Therefore, when planting, you need to mix the names of the grafted trees, as trees with the same name are genetically identical and, most of the time, 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. HappyValley™ Crabapple blooms mid-to-late season, thereby providing ample pollination for early- and late-season trees and receiving a corresponding amount.

 

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR HAPPYVALLEY™ CRABAPPLE

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.

HappyValley™ Crabapple requires 6 hours of sunlight for growth and fruit production. Space trees 20′ apart and use at least 5′ cages 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 of March or the first week of April is ideal 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. However, if you cannot make the selected date, please call or message us to arrange an alternative appointment. 

We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for tree pick-up.

For More Information Visit:

Learn More

Continue your research with these helpful resources:

• Crabapple Trees for Deer
• Tree Planting Guide
• Apple Pollination Guide
• Rootstock Information
• Shipping and Pickup Info