Crabapple trees in texas

[Texbrewer79]

Hi, I am new to this sight, so I don't know if this has been discussed yet in a previous thread, but does anyone know of where I can get my hands on a few crabapple trees to plant in the Dallas area? Also, what types of crab apples do good in the Dallas climate? I am looking to take my cider making up a notch from the store bought juice type, not that you can't make some darn good cider that way also.

 

[Grod1]

i cant speak for texas. Im from NY and i sold trees for a long time.We would never sell a crab apple that was bred for fruit all the crab apples that i have ever seen for sale will produce fruit but have been bred for ornamental purposes. I would recommend to buy bare root apple trees online for a fraction of what a nursery will charge you. Sure half of them might die but at 1/10th the cost who cares.
also if you are planting trees now expect to make cider in 4-7 years. my true recommendation is get in your truck and drive around for a while untill you find someone with a pasture who has apple trees that seem abandoned. Then from what I know about Texas you avoid a shotgun wielding make it great again americanask them politely if they would mind. Of course with the promise of free cider in the long run.

 

[stella_tigre]

Apples need chill hours and can be tricky to grow in the south. I assume it's a consideration for crabs too. Suggest you determine your chill hours and make sure that the varieties you choose are compatible.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...ggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNFCiF74ONG7zrdy9Shv5RAhQ8qwXw

Edit: this link is for regular apples, but it explains chill hours etc. Looks like Dallas is in the 800 (650 to 950) range.

 

[meatcleaver]

They don't list Crabapple but Texas A&M has a page listing fruits that do well here.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/fruitlist.html

 

[gregbathurst]

You can grow crab apple tree easily from seed. You put seeds in damp sand in a plastic bag in the fridge, till the seeds germinate. if you look in late summer/fall in your area you might be able to find some local crab apples you can get fruit from.