Lollipop Crab Apple Fruit

Tree Basics

• Lollipop crab apple is the trademarked name of a compact dwarf variety of crab apple. This tree reaches maximum mature heights and widths of only 10 feet, although it commonly only grows to about 8 feet. The Lollipop crab apple tree features a distinctive rounded shape. Its small, dark green leaves are subtly textured and grow densely, and the tree sports fragrant white flower blossoms, which appear from red buds.

Fruit Characteristics

• Even for naturally small crab apples, the fruit of the Lollipop crab apple is tiny -- only about 3/8 inch. The skin of Lollipop crab apples ranges from yellow to golden amber. The spherical, showy fruits typically appear in early fall and can grow through late winter.

Fruit Uses

• As a particularly small crab apple, Lollipop crab apple fruits are also particularly tart and not good for eating off the branch. However, smaller varieties of crab apples lend themselves to pickling as well as using in folk recipes such as sour cider, crab apple butter, dried fruit snacks, jams and other preserves.

Considerations

• For optimal fruiting, the Lollipop crab apple requires full sun exposure and moist-to-average, well-drained acidic or alkaline soil of clay, loam or sandy consistency. In addition to providing fruit, the Lollipop crab apple serves as an attractive ornamental, container or accent plant, especially suited for courtyards and patios, as its roundness and symmetry gives it a formal appearance.