Chestnut Crab

[sandbur]

Have probably 5 chestnut crabs planted between home and the land. The best one by far is the one in the front yard and it has a whopping 1 apple on it. I’d very much like to get a good representation of what they taste like from that one apple, when should I pluck it?

I have a long drop/ ripening on chestnut crab and actually prefer the later dropping/ ripening apples. If it is holding tight, don’t rush it.

 

[Mortenson]

We pulled some chestnut crabs off the tree a few days ago. A little tart but the kids still really liked them. Can't imagine them needing much more time.

 

[homerj]

Huge difference in ripening times of Chestnut crab and other UM bred varieties. No way Chestnut would be a draw for most deer hunters south of central IL

 

[bwoods11]

I have one growing by an old farm site on 40 acres. It gets a little more attention since it’s easy to get to … really nice tree!

 

[sandbur]

Huge difference in ripening times of Chestnut crab and other UM bred varieties. No way Chestnut would be a draw for most deer hunters south of central IL

I also wonder how lack of chill hours will change flavor. It makes a big difference with Honeycrisp.

 

[Smokegobbler]

Picked a few apples from the Chestnut Crab seedling mentioned earlier. Has a similar crunch as Chestnut, a little sweeter (not as much acidity) and fairly juicy. A good eater. Chestnut is in the center for comparison.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Trailman has pretty much lost all its apples at this point. Chestnut has probably dropped 75%. Hewes is still absolutely loaded and only a few drops. Kerr is still holding most of them. Lil'Benny while not a true crabapple by definition is ripe and holding well, maybe a 2 1/2" apple. Lil' Benny has made my top 10 deer list at this point for those warm enough to live where it will survive. I can't speak to how far north it can grow.

 

[bwoods11]

I’m adding another chestnut crab in Minnesota. Go time in about a month !

 

[Apple Junkie]

I am a fan of the Chestnut crab, although I have no experience with Trailman, so I can’t compare the two. This one gets zero attention except protection when planted. It’s on a P-18 rootstock. These photos show early growth from 2021 to 2023. Today it’s still growing well, ripening mid-September, but holding apples well into November in Steuben County NY. I have two others in different locations at the camp, also doing well and exhibiting similar ripening and dropping characteristics.

 

[Tangler]

If there’s one standout for my limited Apple experience it’s Chestnut Crabapple . I just checked a few and they are doing very well. Should be decent amount of fruit this year, I have 5 or 6 planted on different properties …

Great survival & growth !

Minnesota & Iowa.

good information! i have a couple being delivered this spring and after reading this i will order more! What other crabapples do you recommend?

 

[chasintails]

Frost could have been the culprit last year, but not this year. It gets a fair amount of blossoms, but not much fruit. Pollination shouldn't be an issue at all, several other varieties close by and they're carrying decent fruit loads.

My hope is that in a year or two it'll flip a switch and carry heavy crops from then forward.

add 0-0-60 in the fall ,if your getting blossoms and very little fruit this is typically the problem

 

[bwoods11]

good information! i have a couple being delivered this spring and after reading this i will order more! What other crabapples do

good information! i have a couple being delivered this spring and after reading this i will order more! What other crabapples do you recommend?

There’s a few guys on here that have a lot more knowledge on crab apples than I do :

My top 3 … Chestnut, Kerr & Hawkeye-(more for Iowa)

 

[bigboreblr]

MY chestnut is waking up some. I'd definitely want one or two around. However, it's an early to wake tree for me so far. Not as bad as kerr or trailman. For me a big one is later blooming, we got enough complaining on here about fluke frosts n blossoms.

 

[bwoods11]

A nice alternative to a crab apple, is a common wild apple. They grow fast, very hardy and the fruit is about (crab apple size)… nice option.