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Whitney Crabapple Tree
Description
Small, sweet, edible crab apples. This tree produces a large harvest of red, golf ball-size apples that are perfect for canning, preserving, pickling, spicing and cider. Flesh is sweet, juicy and slightly yellow. Also produces beautiful pink and white blossoms in spring. Originates from Franklin Grove, Illinois circa 1869. Cold-hardy, heat-tolerant and scab-resistant. Ripens in late August or early September. Self-pollinating.
Survival Guaranteed!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | Pink, White |
| Bloom Time | Mid - Late |
| Chill Hours | 800 |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Fruit Size | Large |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 3 - 9 |
| Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
| Ripens/Harvest | Late August/early September |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Texture | Juicy, Firm |
| Years to Bear | 2 - 5 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
| Semi-Dwarf | 12 - 15' tall x 12 - 15' wide |
| Dwarf | 8 - 10' tall x 8 - 10' wide |
Recommended Spacing
| Semi-Dwarf | 12 - 15' |
| Dwarf | 8 - 10' |
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow apple trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
Depending upon where you live and how late the apples mature, you may still have apples on your tree in December. Whitney Crabapple is widely considered to be one of the best for deer, and drops its fruit over an extended time period. It will also pollinate any other apple tree.
Here in SW PA I chose Whitney. Either would be good. I only planted 1 as a replacement for a dead crabapple. I'd consider other apples that ripen later If I was planting more than 1 so I'd have fruit available through several months. I already have that. The Whitney filled an early season gap. It's still young but growing very well. I have it fenced in to keep the deer from eating it to the ground while small.
The Whitney crabapple tree does not have thorns. It is a very hardy & vigorous tree, with apples & medium plus size and flavor that can be mistaken to regular apple and not small crabapples. I have actually questioned why is it listed under crabapple and not as regular apple tree. Very nice apple tree you will be pleased. Bought the one from starks carried few apples the first year, and carried much heavier the second year, nice flavor. Growing well in Anchorage Alaska.
In winter, when the crabapple tree is dormant, it will benefit from some structural pruning to maintain its central leader shape. At any time, remove any dead, damaged, and diseased limbs so that healthy growth can flourish. During the growing season, as needed, remove any limbs that grow inward toward the center of the tree, since this growth blocks sunlight and reduces air circulation in the canopy. Also during the growing season, or whenever they appear, remove any growth that sprouts up from the roots so that the roots send their energy to the canopy of the tree where the fruit forms.
The Starkspur® Arkansas Black Apple is a mid-late blooming variety so the best pollinator would be any other mid-late bloomer. The Whitney Crabapple is a good choice.
We appreciate you reaching out to us. Here we go by bloom time and in this case the Whitney is a Mid to late season bloomer.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
We hope to make it available again soon. If you would like to be notified when it is back in stock, please call Customer Support at 800.325.4180 and they will take care of you. You can also email info@starkbros.com or go to starkbros.com to chat with a Customer Support agent.
This variety needs 800 chill hours.
Yes, surprised first year had some nice sweet crab apples, not as large maybe as shown in photo, but we are in Northern Maine. I have 4 trees, going on 3 year. Looking for more fruits thise coming year.
Yes, it will. They're in the same flowering group.
Customer Reviews
I wanted a smaller tree for an area in my yard. I hope to make crab apple jelly someday!
It is heritage and has uses I want.
Recommended by Iowa State University Extension Service
I chose the Whitney Crabapple for my grandchildren. It is just sweet enough and the perfect size for their little hand.