Monongahela Crabapple Seedling

These are seedlings, so every tree is a little different, and we don't have long-term data from our own trees yet. Everything below is secondhand for now.

Overview

These are crabapple seedlings. Crabapples are popular pollenizers for apple orchards, and the fruit is good for jelly and for feeding birds and other wildlife.

Origin and History

Monongahela isn't a named variety you'll find in the pomology books or nursery catalogs we checked, so we can't point you to a published parent. Like any apple or crabapple, these don't come true from seed, so each seedling is its own new tree.

Fruit and Uses

Since every seedling is different, fruit size, color and flavor will vary from tree to tree. University of Alaska Fairbanks Extension notes that the juice and puree of small crabs "can be added to other wild fruit jams or jellies," and that the fruit can also be "left on the trees as food for birds and other wildlife."

Growth Habit and Spacing

These are seedlings on their own roots, so they'll grow into full size trees. Plan on 18 to 20 feet between them.

Pollination

Crabapples need a pollenizer themselves, and they make good ones for apples. Washington State University's tree fruit program notes that flowering crabapples "have become popular pollen donors because they generally have longer bloom times than apples and are easily cared for." We've estimated these as mid-season bloomers, but since they're seedlings, bloom time will vary a bit from tree to tree.

Cold Hardiness

We've listed these at zone 3b (-35F) for now, which is an estimate. Seedlings vary, so some will be hardier than others, and we'll update this as our own trees go through a few winters.