Robinson Crabapple Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on September 29, 2022

Planting instructions

The Robinson crabapple tree survives in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 and can adapt to either partial shade or full sunlight, with the latter being preferable. Like most crabapples, this tree can adapt to a wide range of soil types but will show the best growth when planted in soils that are loamy, with good drainage and a moderate amount of acidity. Upon removing your new plant from its container, loosen the roots to encourage them to spread once planted. Then dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and twice as wide.

Watering and nutrients

During the summer, you should supply your Robinson crabapple tree with about 1 inch of water each week to help it combat the heat. During the spring and fall, your plant won’t need much water at all, as long as it is well-established. By contrast, newly planted trees should receive water often enough to maintain consistent soil moisture. Feed this plant once per year in spring. Use a fertilizer that has a balanced ratio of nutrients. Alternatively, you can use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer if you notice that your plant is not putting forth much new growth.

Pollination

The Robinson crabapple tree is a self-pollinating species. As such, you need only one plant to produce crabapples. In spring, this tree will use its many flowers to attract honey bees and other pollinator insects. While feeding on nectar, those insects will transfer pollen from flower to flower to conduct pollination. Most people don’t grow this plant for harvest purposes, but if you are among the few who do, you should plant more than one Robinson crabapple tree as this can drastically increase fruit production.

Pruning

The best time to prune a Robinson crabapple tree is during the late winter or early spring, when this plant is just returning to its active growth phase. When pruning, always use pruning tools that are as sharp and clean as can be to reduce the risk of disease spread. Pruning for a Robinson crabapple tree should include general shaping and thinning of the canopy. You can also remove any branch that is broken, damaged or showing signs of disease.

Pests, diseases and animals

There are a few diseases that are common among crabapple trees. Some of those diseases include apple scab, cedar apple rust and leaf spots. However, the good news is that the Robinson crabapple tree has better resistance to disease than most other crabapple varieties. Pests can be an occasional issue for this tree, including Japanese beetles, scale insects, borers and aphids. However, the Robinson crabapple tree often has decent resistance to pest infestations as well.

Harvesting

In most cases, gardeners grow the Robinson crabapple tree strictly for its ornamental features. Despite that, the crabapples that this plant produces are technically edible. In their raw form, crabapples tend to have a tart or sour taste that is not all that pleasing to most people’s palates. However, it is possible to incorporate crabapples into jams to make them a bit more appetizing. If you grow a Robinson crabapple tree, there is no reason that you can’t try harvesting and cooking with your crabapples.

Achieving maximum results

The Robinson crabapple tree is adaptable to full sunlight or partial shade. However, more sunlight generally leads to better performance for this tree, including more flowers and more vibrant colors overall. However, if you cannot provide full sunlight, you must be able to give your Robinson crabapple tree at least 4 hours of light per day if you want it to survive. Along with being adaptable to sunlight and resistant to most pests and diseases, the Robinson crabapple tree is also an excellent option for growing areas that have some urban pollution.