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● Crabapple trees are extremely cold tolerant and will produce an abundance of fruit that is usually tart in flavor but enjoyed by many people. You should plant your crabapple trees in full sun (though partial shade will do), and in a well-drained soil that can be amended to suit the tree. The two varieties offered are two of the best varieties for all-purpose uses, hardiness, vigor, and fruit production, making them must-haves.
- The Dolgo crabapple tree produces a red-to-deep-purple crabapple that is tart in flavor, making it great for juicing or making cider and jellies. At maturity the fruit is composed of 18% sugar, contains a high pectin content, and can be canned whole. In the springtime the blooms will cover the ends of the branches with a beautiful color, opening pinkish-white early in the springtime. The beauty is only enjoyed for about 14 days as the flowers fade and the fruit begins to set. In order to fruit, the tree needs 300 chill hours. The fruit is an earlier ripening crabapple as well and ripens in late summer–early fall. The Dolgo crabapple is grafted on to a semi-dwarf root stock and its size is limited to about 12 to 15 feet at maturity, with a spread almost equal if not slightly bigger. The rate of growth is fast and the tree is resistant to many different diseases, including, scab, mildew, cedar apple rust, fireblight, and sunscald.
- The Transcendent crabapple is another very cold-hardy fruit tree, and suitable for USDA zones 4 through 10. The fruit produced on this semi-dwarf fruit tree is yellow with red blushes. Your crabapples will ripen in September through October and need only 300 to 400 chill hours to produce, making it a viable option for Deep South Preppers. The fruit size is up to two inches, and the tree produces what is considered to be a large crabapple. The fruit can be used to bake or to produce jams, and it can also be eaten fresh, canned, or frozen to help increase its shelf life. The overall height will be about 12 to 15 feet at maturity, with a slightly larger spread. In the early spring the tree will be covered in pure white. The Transcendent crabapple also shows resistance to many diseases, including fireblight. Additionally, deer, turkey, wild game birds, squirrels, and many other types of wildlife will be attracted to the tree, making it easier to hunt fresh meat.
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