Product Description
$19.95 – $40.95
This grafted tree produces heavy annual crops of 1 1/2’’ crabapples. This tree begins dropping the beginning of October with a steady drop of roughly 100 apples a day from what seems like an endless supply!! Sonofcal™ is always loaded with apples and deer sign under it! If you take a look all the way in the top of this tree, you can see apples on every branch except this years growth. When there’s that many apples on 1-year old wood, it’s a sure sign of a strong early producing tree!
This picture is from late Febuary and this tree was still holding a small fraction of the apple crop that it was carrying back in October and the flesh inside these crab apples was still intact and remained very palatable. The Sonofcal™ crab apples were still dropping consistently in mid February and keeping the “100 apples per day” pace that it did all season and the sign below it showed the appreciation from the deer in the area. This tree has good disease resistance leaves and fruit stay pretty clean. In a no spray situation, I have seen excellent resistance to cedar apple rust, also resistance to apple scab, powdery mildew and fireblight. Sonofcal™ will reach a mature height of 20’+. Plant Hardiness zones 5-8
Description
SONOFCAL™ CRABAPPLE
This grafted late dropping crabapple is one amazing tree. The original tree is located on the NY/PA border. The Sonofcal™ tree carried through some great disease resistance from its parents. More importantly, it produces slightly larger fruit with great taste and produces heavy annual crops of 1 1/2’’ crabapples.
This tree begins dropping the beginning of October. They have a steady drop of roughly 100 apples a day from what seems like an endless supply!! Sonofcal™ is always loaded with apples and deer sign under it! If you take a look all the way in the top of this tree, you can see apples on every branch except this year’s growth. When there are that many apples on 1-year old wood, it’s a sure sign of a strong early producing tree! All these facts make this one of the best fruit trees for deer.
This picture is from late February. This tree was still holding a small fraction of the apple crop that it was carrying back in October. The flesh inside these crabapples was still intact and remained very palatable. The Sonofcal™ crabapples were still dropping consistently in mid February and keeping the “100 apples per day” pace that it did all season and the sign below it showed the appreciation from the deer in the area! This tree has seen an ambient temperature of -24 F, however, I’m conservatively labeling it for hardiness zones 5-8.
The Sonofcal™ crabapple is made by using plant tissue from the original tree and attaching it to the new roots. This essentially is giving you an identical tree, of the one you see in the picture and description.
TREE SIZE
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′ to 5′ with a trunk diameter of around a 1/2”.
4-6′ (+ 1/2” dia.) These trees will have an extensive root system and typically having 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 3/4”.
2-yr 4-6′ (5/8”-3/4” dia.) These two-year-old trees will have an extensive root system and can have multiple branches with a diameter of 5/8” and greater. We will be pruning the trees back to a shipping height of 66” with the roots. Our largest box is 66″x 14″x 15″ and will hold 15 of the 2-yr trees. Free local pick-up is open to the surrounding states of Pennsylvania.
2-yr 4-6′ (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 66″ with the roots, as 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 SONOFCAL™ 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 all-around rootstock for wildlife plantings. Sonofcal™ crabapple is very precocious, with many trees producing quickly even when grafted onto a standard root.
POLLINATION FOR SONOFCAL™ 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. Sonofcal™ Crabapple blooms mid-to-late season, therefore providing plenty of pollination to early and late-season trees and receiving plenty.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR SONOFCAL™ 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.
Sonofcal™ 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 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.
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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 |
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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.
Related Products
This grafted tree produces a 1 1/2'' crabapple that begins bearing a lot of fruit at a very young age. This tree will typically begin bearing fruit the same year you plant it. October Crab™ has a very sweet taste, good disease resistance. In a no spray situation I have seen no fireblight, powdery mildew or cedar apple rust. I have seen some apple scab on the leaves but the fruit remains pretty clean in a no spray situation. It drops heavy crop loads at a heavy rate through the month of October and into November making this tree very desirable for bow seasons. The original October crab™ crabapple tree always has more deer sign under it compared to the many other wild apple trees in the same area. October Crab™ is a deer’s favorite! This picture was taken October 6th, at this time the tree was dropping just a very few apples in Central Pensylvania. You can see the fruit is near perfect without ever being sprayed. This is one of those trees that if you only planted one you will wish you had 10 in time. This crabapple is yet another tree that may not be immune to insect pest that commonly remove a lot apples prematurely but definitely shows strong signs of resistance, for video click here. October Crab™ crabapple will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness zones 5-8
$34.95 – $40.95
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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.
$35.95 – $40.95
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
A commercial variety of grafted crabapple, widely grown as an ornamental tree, has made its way into wildlife plantings. This tree produces a 1"- 1 1/2" sweet edible crabapple that persists on the tree and begins casting fruit as colder weather sets in. You may say one inch sounds small, but think about how many 1" acorns a deer can eat. Now, picture them being a sweet, soft mast. Attractive to deer? Yes! This tree produces consistent annual crops of crabapples. Like most crabapples, they persist on the tree, but as they mature, they cast a lot of fruit to the ground. Callaway has good resistance to almost all common apple tree diseases except that it only has moderate resistance to Cedar apple rust and quince rust in a no-spray situation. Enough disease resistance to make it a tree you should plant if looking to feed wildlife late in the year! As seen in the pictures, the deer will clean all the fruit off branches hanging low enough. I would not have an orchard without a couple. This tree will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness Zones 4b-8
Only available in 2-yr trees.
$34.95 – $40.95
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Wild Crabapples
The wild crabapple trees are grown from seed derived from Dolgo, Kerr, Road Kill™, PrimeTime, October Crab™ Winter Crabarina™, Callaway, and Grams Gift™ crabapples. These are not grafted trees. Therefore, each tree will be unique and a one-of-a-kind new crabapple variety. If you click on the pictures, you will see many variations of fruit coming from dolgo seedlings and others. These trees will produce crabapples edible to grouse, turkeys, and, most importantly, the white-tailed deer. Each tree has many variations, including fruit size, drop times, taste, and disease resistance. For a short video on our Wild Crabapples, Click Here. These will grow a 20'+ tall tree and do well in just about any soil type and condition. Planting wild crabapple trees is an excellent choice for feathered field edges or if you have a vacant field and want to provide a food source falling from above. Create a crabapple thicket when spacing them 10' to 15'. These are great for many habitat improvements and creating a food source for all wildlife. These are sold in bundles of 10 in 1-2' and singles in 2-3', or you can select 3' - 4'. They will have the terminal bud attached and are well-rooted. Suitable for plant hardiness zones 4 - 8. Note: You will see variations from the original trees, but variations that make significant habitat improvements! The pictures show the different variations of fruit grown from Dolgo and others. These can be grown in tree tubes, and magnifying a tree of this vigor in mass plantings allows for something exceptional if you're looking for that crabapple thicket with fruit constantly dropping. Spring Shipping Only/ Select Your Shipping Date at Checkout
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.
Prime Time Crab will begin dropping in the last weeks of October and continue through November and December. This crabapple also is dropping a lot of fruit into December here in Pennsylvania, and I wouldn't have a fruit orchard without this tree in it. It doesn't take much time to look at my pictures of this tree, and you can see why I would not have an orchard with a few prime time crabs growing in it. For a video of a young Prime Time Crab, CLICK HERE. The tree is highly productive and provides a maximum draw at just a perfect time. This tree will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness Zones 5-8
Only available in 2-yr trees.
$35.95 – $40.95
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This grafted crabapple has excellent disease resistance and is cold hardy down to Zone 3. It produces a slightly tart/spice apple that is very good tasting and is 1''- 1 ½” in size. Dolgo crabapple is very precocious and will bear fruit at a very young age. This Dolgo Crabapple begins dropping a few apples in late August and continues through September, and has some hanging in through October. Dolgo shows extreme vigor when grafted back onto a seedling itself. I have seen resistance to all common apple tree diseases in a no-spray situation. I have seen no apple scab, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, or fireblight. This tree will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness Zones 3 - 8
Only available in 2-yr trees.
$35.95 – $40.95
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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.
$35.95 – $40.95
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This Grafted crabapple is a prolific tree that bears heavily and annually. The Road Kill Crab™ is an exceptional tree. It is disease resistant, producing heavily on one-year-old wood, making for a tree with weeping branches loaded with crabapples. These 1'' to 1 1/2" crabapples are spicy tart and attractive to the whitetail deer. Roadkill crab™ has extreme vigor and grows exceptionally fast. The original Road Kill crab™ tree has claimed a lot of deer as it hangs over the roadside. Road kill deer always lie on the Road beneath the original Road Kill Crab™ tree. This tree earned its name and has proven exceptional when looking to feed or attract deer.
The crabapples from this tree start to shed a few in early October and continue well into December. Like many Crabapples, some years Road Kill Crab™ likes to persist and may need some good wind to pour crabs to the ground. The Road Kill Crab™ is very precocious and generally bears fruit the same year as planting. This tree is self-fertile and has extreme vigor among the cultivars grown here. In a no-spray situation, I have seen excellent resistance to apple scab, cedar apple rust, powdery mildew, and fireblight or immunity. The mature height of Road Kill Crab™ is 20'+. Plant Hardiness Zone 4b-8.
$34.95 – $40.95
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Only available in 2-yr trees.
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.
$35.95
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Whole Season™ crabapple is a very precocious tree that will fruit aggressively at an early age, grows 1 1/2” “Honey Crisp tasting” apples, has good resistance to common apple tree diseases and insects, produces heavy annual crops, and is a very vigorous growing tree. While no tree is immune to insect pests, I have watched coddling moth remove many standard size apples in my tree plots, while Whole Season maintained a heavy fruit load. Whole Season™ Crabapple will begin dropping the last week of September and persist into the New Year, with a majority of the crabapples being released from the tree during October/November. The unique aspect of Whole Season is that the crabapples ripen unevenly which provides a very nice extended drop time.
The deer are still visiting this tree all December long and into the New Year. Whether its October or December, the apples are cleaned up every night. Apples will continue to drop through January, making this the perfect food plot tree. They even remain very palatable and attractive to the whitetail deer at this time. This tree was still highly desired by the deer with a few hundred other wild apple trees in this area and several commercial apple orchards within the immediate area of this wild tree. Whole Season™ will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness zones 5 – 8. To see a video of why this tree got named Whole season click here.
Only available in 2-yr trees.
$34.95 – $40.95
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This grafted crabapple produces a 1 ¾” and has a flesh that remains very palatable at a time when food supplies are low. Winter Crabarina™ will offer amazing attraction whether you’re looking to do a little late season hunting or just help your deer herd through the tough winter months. This prolific tree has excellent resistance to common apple tree diseases, is very productive, and a very late dropping crabapple with very heavy fruit loads. In a no spray situation I have seen excellent resistance or immunity to apple scab, cedar apple rust, fireblight and powdery mildew. The first picture is from December 5th, the second from January 21st, and the third one of the apple is from mid-February. As you can see, the flesh is still very intact even after many freeze/thaw cycles! This tree is very productive, fruits profusely on 1-year old wood, very vigorous and early producing. For a video to see what Winter Crabarina™ looked like the following year after these pictures click here. This tree will reach a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness Zones 5-8
$34.95 – $40.95
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This Grafted crabapple produces a 1 1/2'' crabapple with long weeping branches hanging very full of crabapples annually. In a no spray situation I have seen strong resistance to all 4 common apple tree diseases. To Include no apple scab, CAR, powdery mildew and fireblight. Dropping through the month of August it is the perfect tree to start bringing deer into your orchard to establish their feeding pattern. Here in Pennsylvania it contiues to drop a lot of fruit well into September. You will notice these apples disappear from the ground very fast. August Appricot is a good crab with a good taste. This tree will begin bearing fruit in as little 1 to 2 year depending on site selection and soil fertility. August Apricot will have a mature height of 20'+. Plant Hardiness zones 5-8
Only available in 2-yr trees.
$34.95 – $40.95
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