Trailman Applecrab

Overview

Bred at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and introduced in 1973, Trailman is a cold-hardy apple crab that consistently produces heavy crops of small, orange-peach-colored fruits (1–1.5” in size). It’s a cross between Trail and Osman, and one of the best-performing applecrabs we've seen for extreme northern climates.

Flavor Profile

Don’t let the size fool you—Trailman packs a punch:

• Sweet with a bold tart kick – might be a bit much for some early on, but if left to ripen longer, it mellows into a sweeter, nuttier profile

• Has a flavor somewhat similar to Chestnut Crab (although more flavorful and less sweet) with a nice crunch

• Likely a great addition to hard cider blends

Cold Hardiness

Survived -47°F at Ed Schultz’s orchard near Bozeman in 2024 with zero damage. Alaska Fruit Trees lists it as one of their hardiest.

Estimated hardiness: -50°F to -60°F, making it ideal for extreme cold climates in zone 2 and even protected zone 1 sites.

Rootstock Info

For Spring 2027, these trees are one year older and grafted onto Dolgo and Bud 118.