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The Evereste Crabapple Tree

If you need a beautiful, disease-resistant, flowering tree to brighten your yard, the Evereste crabapple tree is the perfect addition!

This tree provides pretty white and pink-tinted flowers in the spring, which later turn into orange-colored, edible fruits. It is also great at attracting birds, which will help liven up your yard with soothing chirping and tweeting!

Continue reading to learn more about the ever-so-beautiful Evereste crabapple tree and how to care for it in your yard!

Malus Evereste crabapple in the autumn. Shallow depth of field, selective focus on some fruits

History of the Evereste Crabapple Tree

This crabapple variety originates from France, with roots most likely stemming from the Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAE). This name essentially translates to the National Research Institute for Agriculture in Paris, France.

The institute created the crossbred tree sometime in the 1970s, and they introduced it to Europe shortly after. Since then, select United States-based nurseries have introduced the tree as an ornamental tree for American yards. They are a bit challenging to find in the United States due to their French origins.


Characteristics of the Evereste Crabapple Tree

Malus 'Evereste' in winter

Evereste crabapple trees are deciduous trees, meaning they shed their leaves yearly and go dormant during winter. This tree typically sheds its leaves towards the end of the fall. You can expect beautiful foliage and flowers in the springtime, which lead to small tart fruits from summer through fall.

The best part about these trees is that they’re usually quite disease-resistant and low-maintenance. So, you can spend more time admiring their beauty rather than worrying about their health!

Tree Qualities

Evereste crabapple trees typically grow 15-20 feet tall and wide. They’re on the smaller side when compared to other ornamental trees, making them an excellent option for smaller yards.

After winter passes, the tree will grow green leaves, followed by stunning white flowers. They give off a pleasant floral scent that will fill your yard.

Crabapple Qualities

By the summertime, you should notice crabapples growing and taking the flowers’ places. These edible fruits are usually about an inch in diameter and have a vibrant orange coloring. They almost look like orange cherries due to their size and long stems.


Growing and Caring for Evereste Crabapple Trees

Snow on Crab apple, Malus Evereste

Planting and caring for crabapple trees is easy, as they are a low-maintenance species. Evereste crabapple trees, like other crabapple varieties, don’t need special treatment.

They’ll need the typical watering, occasional fertilizing, and proper soil conditions. But fungicides aren’t usually needed for this crabapple variety, as it is disease-resistant.

With the above things in mind, use the following information as a guide when caring for your Evereste crabapple tree.

Planting Zones

Mostly, this crabapple tree variety grows best and healthiest in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. However, the tree can grow up to zone 9.

Growing Season

The growing season for this crabapple variety starts at the beginning of springtime, typically around April. Beautiful bright green foliage and pretty, fragrant white flowers will begin to appear.

Crabapples won’t show up until summertime, but they’ll usually stick around until the middle of fall. So, to sum it up, the growing season is roughly from April to October.

Size and Spacing

These trees hover around 20 feet wide at most, so keep them 20 feet apart at a minimum. This will allow the trees to spread out without overcrowding.

Soil Requirements

Generally, crabapple trees, including the Evereste crabapple tree, enjoy nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. It should also be a little acidic, which is typically 5-6 on the pH scale. However, they are adaptable trees. So they can handle most soil types as long as there is great drainage.

Sunlight

This tree will be happy and healthy in full sun. With this, it’ll need about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. So, ensure to plant the tree in an open area!

Watering

Your tree will need roughly 1-2 inches of water per week. But make sure to spread out your watering rather than doing it all in one day. The solid should always be moist to the touch.

Fertilizing

Evereste crabapple trees usually only need fertilizing once a year at the very beginning of spring. Use a slow-release fertilizer to feed the tree throughout the growing season.

Pollination

This crabapple variety is self-pollinating in most areas, so you can expect it to produce fruit on its own. However, if it’s having difficulties creating large fruit yields, opting for open pollination with other trees may be helpful.

You’ll need at least one other crabapple tree nearby so the wind and pollinators can transfer pollen.

Pruning

You have two timeframe options when pruning your crabapple tree, in late winter or early spring. During one of these times, you’ll need to remove diseased and damaged areas of the tree. This will promote healthy growth.

Possible Diseases

Unlike other crabapple varieties, the Evereste crabapple tree has few issues with diseases. The leaves are especially disease-resistant, with great resistance to scab (a fungal infection that causes ½-inch discolored spots).

Possible Pests

Some pests you may come across when growing your Evereste crabapple tree include the following:

  • Aphids – small sap-sucking bugs.
  • Spider mites – tiny bugs that feed on your tree’s foliage.
  • Caterpillars

Signs of these little critters include chewed holes, wilting leaves, and the bugs themselves. You can usually get rid of them with a simple neem oil insecticide.


When to Harvest Evereste Crabapples

Once your crabapples reach a diameter of about an inch and are entirely orange, they’re ready to pick! This will typically be around the end of summer into the fall for the Evereste crabapple tree. The birds will be happy to snack on whatever you don’t decide to harvest.


Eating Evereste Crabapples

Queen of the pippin apple and

Not all crabapples are fit for human consumption, but this variety is! You can eat them raw if you want to, but they taste best when cooked. So, try to incorporate them into some culinary masterpieces.

What Do They Taste Like?

These crabapples have an extremely tart flavor with a hint of apple when raw. But, when you cook them, they lose some of that tartness. They are more palatable this way.

Culinary Uses for Evereste Crabapples

While you can use crabapples in any fruit-related recipe, they taste best in jellies and desserts. Recipes like these typically call for sugar, which helps mellow the crabapple tartness. They also taste great with berries, so pies and tarts are perfect for incorporating these fruits.

Evereste Crabapple Recipe Ideas

Here are some great crabapple recipes to try with your Evereste crabapples:


Health Benefits of Evereste Crabapples

Although small, crabapples can give you some health benefits if eaten often. They have plenty of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and fights illnesses.

This vitamin is also vital in the healing process, which can help heal wounds faster. It’s responsible for producing collagen and some vital hormones and chemicals.


Where to Buy Evereste Crabapple Tree Saplings

Unfortunately, the Evereste Crabapple tree is very hard to find, especially online. Check your local orchards and nurseries to check their availability.


Wrapping Up the Evereste Crabapple Tree

The Evereste crabapple tree is a perfect living decoration for your yard, as it is disease-resistant, beautiful, and low-maintenance. Take care of your tree properly; you can expect beautiful white blooms and edible fruits for years!

Are you looking for more crabapple tree information? Check out our crabapple page for more interesting facts and details!