To Forage Publications
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To Forage Publications |
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Siberian Crabapple
(Malus baccata) and Habitat Management
Suggestions for Selected Wildlife Species Description These crabapples grow 10 to 15 feet tall as deciduous, round-topped, low growing trees. They are native to the temperate regions of northeastern Asia, northern China and Japan. Showy white flowers are displayed in full bloom in May, followed by berry-like, red apples 1/3 to ½ inch in diameter that ripen in the fall. The leaves are oval-shaped, finely-toothed along the edges and slightly hairy on the underside. The branches are somewhat thorny. 'Midwest' Manchurian crabapple is a winterhardy cultivar released in 1978 by the Bismark, North Dakota Plant Materials Center. Adaptation Crabapples will grow on almost any soil, but prefer a deep, loamy, well-drained soil high in organic matter. They have a low tolerance for alkali. The minimum moisture requirement under cultivation is 10 to 14 inches. Establishment The planting stock should be one or two years old, with no prior transplantings, and at least 15 inches tall. Usually the plants should be spaced 6 to 10 feet apart. Management and Care Since the foliage and twigs of apples are choice browse for many animals, ranging from elk to mice, the plants will usually require some degree of protection for continued survival. Pruning recommendations are to remove no more than 1/4 of the total foliage in any one year. This would appear to be a reasonable guide for browsing until further information is available. Cultivation and fertilization may be necessary, depending on competition from other vegetation, available moisture, soil fertility and site situations. Nitrogen, phosphorus and iron deficiencies occasionally occur requiring soil tests and fertilization. Fire blight disease is a common affliction of apples, requiring the recommended antibiotics. Numerous publications on the culture of apples are available, ranging from bulletins to hard cover books. Uses Apple foliage is choice food for browsing animals including elk, deer and mice. The fruit is choice food for nearly all seed or plant-fruit eating wildlife. Deer and elk are particularly fond of apple fruit. (Top) |
The fruit is choice food for nearly all seed or plant-fruit eating wildlife.
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