Crabapple Malus spp.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, finely serrate

Buds: Brown, stout, usually hair

Twigs: Usually stout and varying in color, but usually some shade of brown

Fruit: Pomes of varying sizes and colors.

Bark: Smooth, usually some shade of brown, lenticels quite prominent. Bark becomes flaky or platelike on older trees.

The Tree:The numerous horticultural cultivars are popular in that all have beautiful white to rose-pink spring flowers and colorful, sometimes edible, fall fruits.

Disease Problems: Fireblight and apple scab- some cultivars have high resistance

Wildlife Value: Fair to good, food (fruit, seeds, buds, twigs foilage, bark) and nectar source for hummingbirds and orioles. Used by upland game and song birds, fur bearers, game animals, small mammals and hoofed browsers.

Wild Apple Trees for Wildlife in many states. This region is fortunate to have many apple trees growing in the wild but, for a variety of reasons, a lot of these trees are being lost each year. How should we restore and care for apple trees, to enable them to thrive and provide food and other habitat resources for wildlife. What are some of the many birds, mammals, and insects that use apple trees and the clearings around them.