Alternate name: Narrowleaf Crabapple

Family: Rosaceae, Rose view all from this family

Description Small tree with short trunk, spreading branches, and broad, open crown.
Height: 30' (9 m).
Diameter: 1' (0.3 m).
Leaves: 1-2 3/4" (2.5-7 cm) long, 1/2-3/4" (12-19 mm) wide. Elliptical or oblong, usually blunt at tip; wavy saw-toothed; hairy when young. Dull green above, paler beneath; turning brown in autumn. Leafstalks slender, 1/2 3/4" (12-19 mm) long, hairy when young.
Bark: gray or brown; furrowed into narrow scaly ridges.
Twigs: brown; densely covered with hairs when young.
Flowers: 1-1 1/2" (2.5-4 cm) wide; with 5 rounded pink petals; in clusters, on long stalks; fragrant; in spring.
Fruit: 3/4-1" (2-2.5 cm) in diameter; like small apples; yellow-green, sour, long-stalked; maturing in late summer.

Habitat Moist soils of valleys and lower slopes, borders of forests, fence rows, and old fields.

Range S. Virginia south to N. Florida, west to Louisiana, and north to Arkansas; local from S. New Jersey to S. Ohio, and in SE. Texas; to 2000' (610 m).

Discussion This is the crab apple that grows at low altitudes in the Southeast, often forming thickets. Quantities of the fruit are consumed by bobwhites, grouse, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. The hard, heavy wood has been used to make tool handles.