About Sweet Crabapple
This tree grows primarily in the Great Lakes Region and the Ohio Valley but can be found in New England, Long Island, and as far south as Alabama. This tree is small and only grows to about 33 feet in height. It is noted for its broad open crown and small ovate leaves that don't grow longer than two inches. The leaves are red-bronze when they are in bud, and emerge bright green when they are full grown. In the fall the leaves turn yellow. This tree flowers in May and June when the leaves are fully grown. The flowers are a striking pink and are usually clustered in six-flower umbrels on slender branches. The fruit of the crabapple tree ripens in October. The fruit is globular and about an inch to an inch and a half with white flesh that is said to be sour.
Medicinal and Culinary Uses
The Cherokee use an infusion of the bark of this tree to treat gallstones and piles. A wash made from the bark to treat a sore mouth. The Iroquois make a cold infusion that was used to treat black eyes, sore eyes, and, as a cure for snow blindness. A decoction of the root was also used to suppress menses and cause abortion.
The fruit was sometimes buried in the ground overwinter or dried and stored for later use. When fully ripe, this fruit can be eaten. It is also rich in pectin and was added to thicken stews or jam.
Did You Know...
One of the first explorers of North American fruits and vegetables, Pehr Kalm described the fruit of the American crabapple tree as small, sour and unfit for anything but to make vinegar of it!
All members of this genus contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide in their seeds and possibly in their leaves, but not in the fruit.
The flowers attract bees and wasps.
Black Bear, Grey Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, Meadow Vole and Deer Mouse eat the fruit of this tree.
White Tail Deer and Cotton Tail Rabbits eat twigs and foliage.
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