Crabapple? Cherry? I have no idea...

Effington

I have been trying to identify this tree for a while... I think it's some sort of crabapple. I also think there might be something wrong with it... especially since it doesn't flower in spring. Location is Pennsylvania.

kaazih

When does it actually flower? That might help with identification.

Effington

Part of the problem is that it doesn't flower.... although I think it should. We do get some buds in early spring.

Joey Meister

the fruits being small, look like crabapple, but being that is is not a showy bloomer is another story. it must also have produced some sort of flowers for the fruit to form though

Effington

This is an ugly tree that hates flowers. It blooms in spring, but the flowers are... sad, to say the least. The leaves are spotty with dark green and black patches. The fruit, as seen here, sticks around for a long time and is hard to the touch, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter. My experience with crabapple is with fruits that are much larger than these.

audioenhancer44

The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium.

Brent Ferris

Crabapple fruit varies a lot depending on variety - can be as small as 1/2" in diameter, or up to 2 -2 1/2 inch diameter. Looks like a crab. To be sure, cut the fruit open - if there is a solid pit inside, it is a cherry, if it soft inside, with vastly smaller seeds resembling an apple, it is a crab. Try chewing it - crabs are usually more tart than apple - edible, but you need to be hungry,.

As Treeluver said, if there is fruit, there had to be flowers. Not many flowers, means not much fruit,. THis past spring was very wet in Southern Ontario, and I believe also in Eastern States. THe extra rain did nothing for flowering trees - not for the flowers developing, for pollination (and we have fewer bees now) , nor for the vigour of the trees, although it did enhance fungal development,. The excess rain -- I believe -- reduced the volume of oxygen in the soil and vastly lowered the vitality of most of the trees, unless they were situated on deep sand or a hill,. Have to wait to confirm long term results, but the trees I have examined this year indicate a very poor growing season.

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Effington

I want to thank everyone who responded, it has been helpful for someone who knows nothing about trees like myself.

I will try cutting the fruit open later today and that should give me the verdict. I'll look for the flowers this spring and see what it gives me.

Brent Ferris

Assuming there is nothing wrong with the tree, an application of Bonemeal, potash and liquid seaweed can enhance winter root growth (if enough snow cover) and may enhance growth/flowers in spring. Any time after the first hard frost,.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)