Malus fusca, crabapple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Malus fusca

crabapple

Rosaceae

Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon to California; moist forests, stream banks, wetland margins, and forest edges

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height10-35 feet (3-10 m)
Width10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Fragrant (moderate)
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

A small to medium-sized deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub in the family Rosaceae, native to moist forests, stream banks, wetland margins, and forest edges from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California — the only native apple of the Pacific Northwest and one of the most ecologically important native fruit-bearing woody plants in the region. The specific epithet fusca means 'dusky' or 'dark brown,' referring to the dark, often reddish-brown bark and twigs. Plants grow 10–35 feet (3–10 m) tall with a broad, somewhat irregular crown; branches frequently bear short, stout, sharp thorns. The leaves are variable in shape — ovate to lanceolate, 1.5–4 inches (4–10 cm) long, with serrated and often shallowly lobed or three-lobed margins (especially on vigorous shoots) — the variable leaf shape is characteristic of the species. From April through May, the tree produces clusters of 5–12 small, fragrant, white to pinkish-white, five-petaled flowers 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) across typical of the apple family. The small fruits 0.3–0.6 inch (8–15 mm) in diameter ripen yellow to red-orange to dark red or purplish-red by August–October, often with a waxy bloom — much smaller than domestic apples and extremely tart. The fruits are consumed by black bears, deer, grouse, cedar waxwings, and many other bird and mammal species and were an important food source for Indigenous peoples of the PNW coast.

Native Range

Native to moist forests, stream banks, wetland margins, and forest edges from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a native wildlife habitat tree, riparian buffer, or small specimen tree at 10–15 foot (3–4.5 m) spacing. The only native apple of the Pacific Northwest and among the most important native fruit trees for wildlife — fruits consumed by dozens of bird and mammal species. The spring flower clusters are fragrant and ornamental. Appropriate for rain gardens, wetland buffers, and large native habitat plantings. Fruits are edible by humans when cooked; raw fruits are very tart.

How to Identify

Identified as a small to medium-sized deciduous tree or large shrub 10–35 feet (3–10 m) with variable leaf shapes — ovate to lanceolate, serrated and often shallowly lobed or three-lobed (especially on vigorous shoots) — and short, stout, sharp thorns on branches. From April–May, clusters of fragrant white to pinkish-white five-petaled flowers 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) across are typical of the apple family (Rosaceae). The small fruits 0.3–0.6 inch (8–15 mm) ripening yellow to red to purplish-red are much smaller than domestic apples and are the most reliable identification character in fruit. Distinguished from domestic apple by the consistently small fruit size, often-lobed leaf shape, presence of thorns, and native coastal forest habitat.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 35'
Width/Spread10' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red
yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms April through May for 2–3 weeks, producing clusters of 5–12 fragrant, white to pinkish-white, five-petaled flowers 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) across — a classic apple-family flower cluster. An important early-season nectar source for bumblebees, mason bees, butterflies, and other native pollinators. Fruits ripen yellow to red to purplish-red August–October and are consumed by black bears, deer, grouse, cedar waxwings, thrushes, and numerous other wildlife species.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pinkish-white; fragrant; five-petaled clusters of 5–12 flowers 0.6–1 inch — classic Rosaceae apple-family cluster; April–May; followed by small fruits 0.3–0.6 inch yellow to red to purplish-red; only native PNW apple

Foliage Description

medium to dark green; variable shape — ovate to lanceolate, serrated and often shallowly lobed or 3-lobed (especially vigorous shoots); characteristic variable leaf shape; branches with short stout thorns; fusca = 'dusky/dark brown'

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysilt
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.5. Tolerates seasonally wet soils and performs well along stream banks and wetland margins — one of the most moisture-tolerant native PNW fruit trees. No fertilizer needed. Susceptible to the same fungal and bacterial diseases as domestic apples (fire blight, apple scab, powdery mildew) in humid climates, but generally more resistant than grafted domestic varieties. Minimal maintenance once established.

Pruning

Prune to remove dead, crossing, or diseased branches in late winter while dormant. Remove suckers at the base. Thinning the canopy every few years improves air circulation and fruit production. Avoid heavy pruning — the irregular crown form is natural and characteristic. Use clean, sharp tools to minimize disease transmission.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic