Pacific Crabapple

Pacific crabapple is a native small tree of Western Washington's riparian zones and swamp forests, a deciduous species with white or occasionally pink flowers in spring and yellow to orange-red crabapples in fall. The bark is smooth and gray, becoming furrowed with age. The leaves are oval to oblong, toothed, and dark green. The flowers are fragrant and appear in small clusters before the leaves fully emerge. The fruits are small (about three-quarter inch), yellow to orange, and persist well into fall and winter, providing food for birds. The tree reaches 30-40 feet in moist sites and forms a rounded, spreading crown.

In Western Washington, Pacific crabapple is an excellent native ornamental for moist riparian sites and rain gardens where its spring flowers and persistent fall fruit provide extended landscape interest. The tree tolerates wet soils, partial shade, and our maritime climate better than most ornamental crabapples. Growth is slow to moderate, reaching mature size in 15-20 years. The tree is susceptible to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), a fungal disease common in our wet springs, causing brown spots on fruit and defoliation; select fungal-resistant forms or accept the disease as a minor cosmetic problem. Fire blight and other canker diseases can occur but rarely kill established trees. The small, yellow-orange fruits are occasionally used for preserves or cider. For riparian restoration and naturalistic design, Pacific crabapple is invaluable; the combination of spring flowers, persistent fruit, and native ecological role make it worth managing disease susceptibility through cultural practices. Plant in full sun to part shade with consistent moisture for best performance.