Small Flowering Trees that Benefit Wildlife
A source of delight for me and great amusement for my indoor kitties is watching the squirrels |
and birds in my garden pop crabapple fruit into their mouths.
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| Over the past eight years, the three crabapple trees I planted in my wildlife-friendly garden were selected based on wildlife appeal, persistent fruit less than or equal to 1/2" diameter, and disease susceptibility. | |||
| C R I T E R I A | |||
| Fruit Size (diameter) | Fruit Persistence |
Disease Resistance |
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| Malus x zumi 'Calocarpa' | 1/2", abundant | persistent | slightly susceptible to scab |
| Malus 'Jewelcole' | less than 1/2" | persistent | Ohio State (1989,1997): high resistance to scab |
| Malus 'Prairiefire' | 3/8" to 1/2" | persistent | very resistant |
An excellent reference for crabapples and other woody plants is: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, Fifth Edition by Michael A. Dirr. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing L.L.C., 1998. |
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| At this time in my garden, wildlife is attracted to the crabapple fruit on my M. x zumi 'Calocarpa' tree. Although the crabapple fruit in each of the photos below may look similar, wildlife has preference for those that are softened by colder weather. | |||
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| Malus x zumi 'Calocarpa' | Malus 'Jewelcole' | Malus 'Prairiefire' | |
As the fruit of M. 'Jewelcole' and M. 'Prairiefire' soften, these will be consumed in the upcoming weeks and months. In addition to fall and early winter fruit, crabapple trees are an excellent source of larval food, nectar, or pollen for local insects: butterflies, moths, bees, and beetles. These insects will attract the attention of insect-eating birds. With their many benefits to wildlife, these small spring-flowering beauties deserve a place in gardens devoted to welcoming wildlife.