The lollipop crabapple tree earned its name not because of its relation to candy but rather for its lollipop shape. This crabapple tree variety is a lovely addition to landscapes with its sturdy trunk that supports beautiful, fragrant springtime flowers and shiny red fruit in the fall.
Read on to learn all about what makes the lollipop crabapple tree unique!
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Characteristics of the Lollipop Crabapple Tree
This neat, compact tree resembles the shape of its sugary namesake. Pink buds form on the branches in spring, which shape into abundant cloud-like, amazing-scented flowers.
Bright green leaves take over the tree in the summer. The leaves turn yellow in fall, and rosy red fruit follows that will be ready for harvest between September and October.
The lollipop crabapple tree has dwarf genetics and only grows 8 to 10 feet in height and spread. Its canopy is low and usually only about four feet off the ground.
This is an easy, low-maintenance crabapple tree.
Reasons to Plant the Lollipop Crabapple Tree
The lollipop crabapple tree is the perfect addition to most landscapes because of its perfect coloring and size. It fits in well with surrounding landscapes because of its compact structure and ability to change with the seasons.
This tree is also excellent at attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Pollinators love the dense flowers, and birds and deer enjoy the fruit in the fall and winter.
First-time tree growers will enjoy having this low-maintenance tree in their yards. Minimal pruning is required, and the tree is resistant to most crabapple tree diseases.
Homeowners enjoy the privacy and shade this tree offers. The low canopy will block anything behind it, so plant it in front of a window to block peeping toms from looking in.
Ways to Enjoy the Lollipop Crabapple Tree
Ornamental
The most popular way to enjoy the lollipop crabapple tree is through its ornamental characteristics. This tree is one of the Proven Winners Ornamental Trees, a collection of trees selected for their ornamental superiority.
Lollipop crabapple trees are great companions for many flowers in your yard like hostas, lilacs, magnolias, peonies, and spring bulbs.
Even the fruit can be used for ornamental purposes. Pick a bowl of its fruit in the fall and use it as a fruit centerpiece in your kitchen or dining room.
Jelly and Jam
Lollipop crabapples make delicious jellies and jams. Since the seeds and flowers of crabapples are poisonous, the fruit should not be eaten raw.
Crabapples contain pectin, a common ingredient used for creating jellies. You do not need to add extra pectin to crabapple jelly, though you will find it in some recipes.
You can use crabapples, sugar, and water to keep it easy. Various recipes have different additives to try, so read through different crabapple jelly and jam recipes to find one that suits your tastes. Or try the one that we found!
Cider
Nothing beats a cup of warm hot cider on a cold winter day, or maybe you prefer drinking it cold. However you enjoy your cider, there are two methods of making crabapple cider: Fermented and Stove Top.
If you want to enjoy your cider immediately, you’ll want to make it over the stove, but if you have some time to spare, give fermented crabapple cider a try.
Try out these crabapple cider recipes:
Wine
Crabapple wine is something fun to experiment with creating. There are so many varieties of crabapple wine, but most recipes will create a dry wine. Try this recipe:
- 5 pounds crabapples
- 1 pound raisins
- 3 pounds sugar
- 1 teaspoon citric acid
- 16 cups water
- 1 teaspoon pectic enzyme
- 1 teaspoon yeast nutrient
- 1 Campden tablet (optional)
- Champagne yeast
Start with washing the crabapples and removing the stalks. Crush the fruit and place them in a fermentation bucket with 12 cups of water. Add the pectic enzyme, citric acid, and the optional Campden tablet. Loosely cover for 24 hours.
Boil four cups of water with sugar until sugar is dissolved, then add the raisins, yeast nutrients, and Champagne yeast. Add the mixture to the fermentation bucket for one week.
Rack the wine (move it from one vessel to another). A six months aging process is recommended for enhancing the taste.
Health Benefits of Lollipop Crabapples
Crabapples are rich in Vitamin C and Antioxidants. Pectin is a healthy carbohydrate found in crabapples and best known for lowering cholesterol, improving digestion, regulating blood sugar, and aiding in weight loss.
The fruit also contains low levels of iron, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium.
Learn to Grow Lollipop Crabapples
The lollipop crabapple tree grows best in USDA zones 4 through 8. Plant your lollipop crabapple tree in an area that receives plenty of sunlight. Lollipop crabapple trees require ample sun, at least six hours each day.
This tree thrives well in most soil types but prefers moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil. Lollipop crabapple trees appreciate a layer of mulch over the roots for retaining moisture and maintaining insulation. Read more about planting a crabapple tree.
Pruning
Pruning is required at a minimum, needing just enough to maintain its round shape. Prune in the springtime after flowering, as flowers will bloom on old wood. Learn more about pruning a crabapple tree.
Crabapple Tree Diseases
The lollipop crabapple is impressively disease resistant, but it’s always a good idea to be familiar with a tree’s potential diseases before planting it. Learn more about common crabapple diseases.
Harvesting
Harvest time for the fruit produced on lollipop crabapple trees is between September and October. The best way to know if the fruit is ready to be picked is to cut it into a couple of crabapples. Crabapples that are ready for picking have brown seeds.
Remember, crabapples should not be snacked on right off the tree. Take them inside for ornamental purposes or boil them before using them.
If you have leftover fruit when winter comes, you can leave it behind so the deers and birds have something to snack on in the colder months. If you don’t want the wildlife in your yard, though, you will want to clean up the leftover fruit.
Where to Buy Lollipop Crabapple Trees
If we’ve convinced you that this tree would look fantastic in your yard or garden, we can point you in the right direction for buying your own.
Lollipop crabapple trees can be purchased in two sizes through Fast Growing Trees: 4-5 feet and 5-6 feet.
Check your local nurseries for the lollipop crabapple variety!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the lollipop crabapple tree require a lot of watering?
The lollipop crabapple tree requires a moderate amount of watering. Water frequently during the first season. After the first season, water when the soil dries down three inches.
What is the average life of a crabapple tree?
Crabapples may not be the longest-living trees, but they still have an impressive 40- to 60-year lifespan.
The Perfect Lollipop
The lollipop crabapple tree is the perfect ornamental tree for most landscapes, and you’re sure to love it when you see it.
If you’re scouring the internet for information about the best crabapple trees to plant in your yard, check out our Crabapple Trees page to learn more about other varieties.