Sweet Crabapple

Scientific name: Malus coronaria
Common Name: Sweet Crabapple
Plant Family: Rosaceae (Rose family) 

Traditional Uses

The Iroquois and Ojibwe often baked the fruits into small cakes or dried via the sun or fire. Often the dried fruits would be taken as hunting foods. It was also cooked as a sauce or mixed with cornbread. (2)

Edible Parts

The fruits are edible, though very bitter and tart. 

Gathering and Using

The fruits may be gathered in the fall when ripened to a yellow color, and made into traditional cakes, dried, or into preserves and cider.

Permaculture Functions and Considerations

The fruits are versatile, and the trees provide quality habitat for many species of insects and birds. They do attract many pests, however, so it may be a risk for the integrity of a permaculture garden. As long as the trees are given plenty of space and airflow, the accompanying insects should not drastically damage other potential harvests or spaces.

Habitat

Occurring across the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, M. coronaria often live in well-drained soil with direct sun. These trees fall within Zones 4-7 and contribute largely to the wildlife vitality within the areas it is prevalent (1). This tree can be found throughout Maryland, though it is less likely to grow in coastal areas (3). 

How to Identify

Sweet Crabapple is a small deciduous tree with a densely branched crown. Typically, trees will range from 15 to 30 feet tall and wide.  The leaves and bark tend to be rough, with the leaves being ovate and toothed. The fruits are small, round apple-like fruits that mature to a yellow color in the fall. The flowers are often white with tints of pink, and a distinct yellow pistil (1).

Wildlife Support

The flowers and fruits attract many insects, and the dense branching provides ample cover and nesting opportunities for a variety of small birds. Many moths are known to use M. coronaria as laval hosts as well as Red-spotted Purple butterflies, Tiger Swallowtail, and Viceroy butterflies (1).

Additional Information

M. coronaria is highly susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, as well as deer browsing damage. It is important to create effective air circulation if planting these trees, and it is recommended that they be planted away from Juniperus spp. (1).

Sources

1. https://mgnv.org/plants/native-plants/trees/malus-coronaria/#:~:text=*In%20the%20Mid%2DAtlantic%20Region,the%20mid%2Dsection%20of%20PA.
2. Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Food Plants: An Ethnobotanical Dictionary. Portland, Timber Press, 2010.
3. https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/3613