{"title":"Best Crabapples for Jelly","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 3 varieties in our catalog that scored 8 or higher out of 10 for jams and jellies. Scored on natural pectin and acid, on set, and on how the flavor and color come through the sugar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 8 is Very good on the adapted Beach (1905) grade, a 9 is Very good to best and a 10 is Best. Varieties that scored 6 or 7 are genuinely good at this too, and you will find them under the matching Shop by Use group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery score in this list is sourced. Nothing is here because it is popular, and nothing is here on our word alone. The full evidence, including what each variety scored for every other use and why, is in the use guide.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2","title":"Dolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProducing massive amounts of white flowers every Spring that will then turn to 1-inch crimson red crabapples, Dolgo is a must for many reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether it’s eating the good tasting crabapples (high acidity which I like), used for processing, or as a pollenizer or rootstock on which to top graft, Dolgo is a must for many reasons in the orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisease Resistance \u0026amp; Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd did I mention it's resistant to scab, fireblight, and cold hardy to zone 2. When some of our rootstocks such as some in the Geneva or Emla series had suffered from some frost damage at our nursery from the early fall frost (-10F) on 10\/26\/20, Dolgo didn’t bat an eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCider \u0026amp; Culinary Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough I’ve never used Dolgo for cider, I have used one of its descendants, Kerr apple crab (which is crossed with Haralson) and that made for I think the best tasting cider I’ve ever had. Some sources say it makes great jelly and I’d bet Dolgo cider ain’t too shabby, especially when blended with something sweet like Macoun or Honeycrisp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZone 2 hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":45224515240002,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/DolgoCrabapplesinthehand.jpg?v=1789598191"},{"product_id":"martha-applecrab","title":"Martha Applecrab","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"8503\" data-end=\"8517\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"8518\" data-end=\"8836\"\u003eMartha is an applecrab from Minnesota dating to the late 1800s, commonly associated with the work of Peter Gideon (the same Minnesota pioneer famous for the Wealthy apple). It’s grown because it’s hardy, reliable, and genuinely useful for fresh eating and cooking. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"8838\" data-end=\"8863\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"8864\" data-end=\"9121\"\u003eEdible Crab, applecrab, crabapple. People have different names for Martha and given that we do not know exactly if it is a cross between a pure crab and a domesticated apple (unlike Kerr, which is Dolgo x Harlason), Rod and others we know in Montana refer to it as an applecrab. Its history goes back to the late 1800s, tied to Peter Gideon’s era of Minnesota fruit work. Formal parentage is not typically published in the references most growers use. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9123\" data-end=\"9149\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9150\" data-end=\"9444\"\u003eMartha is rose-red, about 2 inches across, with crisp, juicy, slightly yellow flesh and a sweet-tart flavor. The flavor is exceptional and life changing (see the story below!). It’s used for fresh eating, baking, sauce, jelly\/jam, and as an excellent addition to cider blends. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9446\" data-end=\"9474\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9475\" data-end=\"9745\"\u003eIt’s spreading\/open and productive. Spacing depends on rootstock and training, some of these are on Bud 118 and can be spaced 15 ft. apart. The full size Dolgo should be 20 ft. apart. Both rootstocks can be spaced tighter for a more intense spacing\/pruning regiment, or even further apart for a more lax approach.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9747\" data-end=\"9764\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9765\" data-end=\"9920\"\u003eAs with essentially all apples\/crabapples, cross-pollination improves fruit set. The list is long but some ideas to go with Martha include Trailman, Kerr, Chestnut, Rescue, Dearborn's Unknown, Mantet, Norland, Norson, Norda, Lodi, Yellow Transparent, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9922\" data-end=\"9942\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9943\" data-end=\"10196\"\u003eGiven Martha's success in which it saw no winter injury in Corvallis, MT that saw -38F on 1\/13\/24, Martha is at least hardy to -40F. It's certainly a zone 3a apple, and is likely hardy down to temps even colder, although we simply don't have this data yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFun Backstory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eOne of Luke's mentors, the late \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eRod McIver\u003c\/span\u003e, fell in love with fruit growing because of a single taste. When he was in his 50s, a friend from Oregon handed him a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACsm56CLUQm8PHnpjZJ64o3DU_-RxuYkckCIF9_OXtewTiiHf1d4yS1eX6AkYxH7zNslo9VBXsXd_IkCa8g-5SrMyjOAEYXetqr0XIEkCRbxBB7YD4IvWA-G8hg6_2eSrF-0Oq7sEMYsrWdQSu5ibdBWF6o3azLaDWRqCX8Ci2JTuyQmRZDktPtcuJ7bO7s5rs_WD8judVHVJtCGea7RzYBjDfHtLpOoULrRaDOvOKscnzuzE5P-rqjEnM1xg-_6EARbcjI2S4eubdYpblYS-4oPw9w7vCokh_rsOoF97kwRLdx8Is1dKpNzwLJqzTDI-ei03BGiv-FWyYgzM9L-LRXMpJmON4bheQEJxttZtXnYIhXsZh_t9nZ8zU5gtAXR3Ls_YeVsq9VHtOGsf3xBtUUwVuM96YktKVNirmDtEA-mMF43coPuZ4w3gK_YtcN0A9J5K-6YATipt2XDVjPct3VKzSi01pSX2QrvuNYQd0Fq7DLfZ6JhHjDH0H1m5bVIFxmJlthqq9jkEtIU_uKb9NedHoUsOzhxeQZRDHH_tg=\" style=\"color: rgb(0,0,0); text-decoration: underline;\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACsm56CLUQm8PHnpjZJ64o3DU_-RxuYkckCIF9_OXtewTiiHf1d4yS1eX6AkYxH7zNslo9VBXsXd_IkCa8g-5SrMyjOAEYXetqr0XIEkCRbxBB7YD4IvWA-G8hg6_2eSrF-0Oq7sEMYsrWdQSu5ibdBWF6o3azLaDWRqCX8Ci2JTuyQmRZDktPtcuJ7bO7s5rs_WD8judVHVJtCGea7RzYBjDfHtLpOoULrRaDOvOKscnzuzE5P-rqjEnM1xg-_6EARbcjI2S4eubdYpblYS-4oPw9w7vCokh_rsOoF97kwRLdx8Is1dKpNzwLJqzTDI-ei03BGiv-FWyYgzM9L-LRXMpJmON4bheQEJxttZtXnYIhXsZh_t9nZ8zU5gtAXR3Ls_YeVsq9VHtOGsf3xBtUUwVuM96YktKVNirmDtEA-mMF43coPuZ4w3gK_YtcN0A9J5K-6YATipt2XDVjPct3VKzSi01pSX2QrvuNYQd0Fq7DLfZ6JhHjDH0H1m5bVIFxmJlthqq9jkEtIU_uKb9NedHoUsOzhxeQZRDHH_tg%3D\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1768609171279000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw1rXZn2TL0fn8ZYk40hAKNz\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWickson crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e. The flavor floored him. Wanting to grow it but unable to find a nursery that carried it, he was told the only solution was to learn to graft. So he did. He found cuttings, grafted one successfully, waited four years, and when he finally tasted the fruit he said, in his southern drawl, “This ain’t the fruit I tried five years ago!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eThat started a decade-long quest. He gathered cuttings from near and far, trialed rootstocks, and devoured books. He didn't realize it at the time but he was falling in love with fruit growing and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AADghJHHwunoPHpr4vQW5PSUxHJOZ5HACNkIZTHmvNx_R9Qc-k9Dr6Sd-BWFsVtLzvRaBvzyuKYKoOyo_mCjzYqVSB1BdEf8DEgJafPQ3sbieI6TH9_zpr5PwvOxOtoYrzRHwCXGuB3IjOX5Czk1n8iXa48hCV0xGOW6g4LKuM1z-pt2wVVjmheDdmAjYs-iSRdQrKVLuCGiJKCY_O5QPr4iHjXamk5NvCc32edS5L7ITPfwasJU-SMoNG7IEKO0ELajqKeKzAQtKuzBCMxFxWmAYct9UT2FsvQL6BdtI5HBkKSVuehHM7X_\" style=\"color: rgb(0,0,0); text-decoration: underline;\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AADghJHHwunoPHpr4vQW5PSUxHJOZ5HACNkIZTHmvNx_R9Qc-k9Dr6Sd-BWFsVtLzvRaBvzyuKYKoOyo_mCjzYqVSB1BdEf8DEgJafPQ3sbieI6TH9_zpr5PwvOxOtoYrzRHwCXGuB3IjOX5Czk1n8iXa48hCV0xGOW6g4LKuM1z-pt2wVVjmheDdmAjYs-iSRdQrKVLuCGiJKCY_O5QPr4iHjXamk5NvCc32edS5L7ITPfwasJU-SMoNG7IEKO0ELajqKeKzAQtKuzBCMxFxWmAYct9UT2FsvQL6BdtI5HBkKSVuehHM7X_\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1768609171279000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw1D7LuwVvkJNcD2CfU7uprV\" target=\"_blank\"\u003epomology\u003c\/a\u003e (the science\/practice of growing fruit). Finally one late-summer evening, he plucked a tree ripened apple, took a bite, and shouted, “By God, I’ve found it. Martha!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eThat was the name of the apple he’d tried all those years earlier (and funny enough, the name of his eldest daughter!). Rod went on to have the largest \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACfyB2T7I3cMjlcPqDEm3QA7BdsHFABoUbY9fGzJ6Fs050mLek5YeDccIFYDS0xB1-kxTSVw9UhP320P9-qsg7BCuxaP2VQiFPqw5YOi7EnSvNf866rvKWEQquiWQ_LzaF32oJFzuL6AwBbHpLT1hn0mxOh3SBdQJo18SUtYzMShX4bq9A5a-ASQMF-t0LTEoSvzsYEJuZaoUSXD8NwReGHHAVL_Nc4zD4MPgAINNvSWql9GVnxOHILGTWy6OL5VFdciiquFMdntmiu3hJ3kfcbtTx-HT3tFIrXhwpLjXFq5DvQ2NKeBRv4Fg==\" style=\"color: rgb(0,0,0); text-decoration: underline;\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACfyB2T7I3cMjlcPqDEm3QA7BdsHFABoUbY9fGzJ6Fs050mLek5YeDccIFYDS0xB1-kxTSVw9UhP320P9-qsg7BCuxaP2VQiFPqw5YOi7EnSvNf866rvKWEQquiWQ_LzaF32oJFzuL6AwBbHpLT1hn0mxOh3SBdQJo18SUtYzMShX4bq9A5a-ASQMF-t0LTEoSvzsYEJuZaoUSXD8NwReGHHAVL_Nc4zD4MPgAINNvSWql9GVnxOHILGTWy6OL5VFdciiquFMdntmiu3hJ3kfcbtTx-HT3tFIrXhwpLjXFq5DvQ2NKeBRv4Fg%3D%3D\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1768609171279000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw3D_qfrxqXbkHR6HK4cBI6F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003egermplasm\u003c\/a\u003e of fruit varieties in the whole state, and it all started with Martha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImages courtesy \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/maineheritageorchard\/martha-crab\/\"\u003eMaine Organic Farmers and Gardeners\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Malus baccata Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45133920665666,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Malus baccata Full Size: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45133920698434,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500875714626,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/martha-applecrab-fruit.jpg?v=1789020605"},{"product_id":"transcendent-crabapple","title":"Transcendent Crabapple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscendent is a classic cold-climate crabapple valued for its large fruit (for a crab), heavy production, and exceptional usefulness in preserves. It has a long history in northern orchards and remains one of the most widely recognized edible crabapples for jelly, cider, and cooking. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and history\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe precise origin and parentage of Transcendent are unknown. It was first documented in North America in William Prince’s nursery catalog in 1844 and quickly gained popularity in cold regions due to its productivity and fruit quality. By the late 1800s, thousands of Transcendent trees were already bearing in northern plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Montana, Transcendent has documented heritage significance: more than 2,000 trees were reported fruiting at Pine Grove Farm in Stevensville by 1875, and it appears in Montana’s Heritage Orchard records, including a notable specimen from Wild Horse Island. Historically, it has been described as one of the largest “Siberian-type” crabapples and was widely planted across prairie and mountain regions for its reliability and usefulness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscendent produces medium to large crabapples with yellow to golden skin often washed with red. Truly does look like a larger Siberian crabapple. The fruit is aromatic and notably well-suited for jelly, preserves, sauce, and cider, where it’s prized for flavor and consistency. It can also be used fresh by those who enjoy a classic sweet-tart crabapple profile. This variety earned its reputation primarily as a processing and preserving apple, though it remains versatile in the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 rootstock, Transcendent grows with strong vigor. Bud 118 is a vigorous, cold-hardy rootstock which is noted as semi-standard in the literature, but our experience growing it in Montana is that it is more so a semi-dwarf, reaching about 16-18 ft. Perhaps in warmer climate\/longer growing season\/deeper and less dry\/alkaline soils that it would behave more as a semi-standard. Aim for 15 ft. spacing in MT and perhaps further apart in better growing conditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscendent is a Malus (apple\/crabapple type). Like most apples and crabapples, it benefits from cross-pollination with another Malus that blooms at a similar time. Examples of what we offer that will cross pollenize with Transcendent include Kerr, Trailman, Norda (and all the other 'Nor' series of apples), Wickson, Whiteney, Prairie Sensation, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscendent has a long-established reputation as a cold-hardy crabapple, reflected in its historic adoption across northern prairie regions and its documented success in Montana heritage orchards. While we do not have exact numbers on its cold hardiness (we do know that there has been zero reported damage in the Bitterroot when the tree experienced -40F on 1\/13\/24), we would suspect that it cold tolerate much colder temperatures that this. Siberian crabapple is one of the hardiest of all fruit trees in the world. In fact Alaska growers depend on using Siberian Crab rootstock because of its hardiness, which we will be offering in the future. As such, although it is certainly hardy throughout zone 3 and likely more cold hardy than that, we are listing it ias zone 3 until we can verify its hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscendent played an important role in early northern orchards, where it was valued for dependable crops and clean, usable fruit. Its inclusion in Montana Heritage Orchard collections highlights its regional importance and durability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo cultivar-specific disease resistance profile is reliably documented for Transcendent. As with most Malus varieties, good spacing, airflow, sanitation, and site selection remain the most effective tools for managing common apple diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"532\" data-end=\"613\"\u003eImages courtesy of the Western Agricultural Research Station (Corvallis, MT),\u003c\/strong\u003e which conducts leading research in cold-climate pomology. Read more about their work \u003ca data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"708\" class=\"decorated-link\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"#\"\u003ehere.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42508217090114,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/transcendent-crabapple-on-tree.png?v=1789021268"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/best-crabapples-for-jelly.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}