Native Apple Trees in North America: Should You Grow One?

When I first heard someone mention native apple trees, I thought they were mistaken. I’d always assumed all apple trees came from somewhere else — that North America didn’t really have any of its own.

But it turns out we do.

In this podcast episode, I spoke with Paul Kron from the Plant Population and Evolution Research Lab at the University of Guelph. He helped clear up the confusion and introduced me to the surprisingly fascinating world of wild crabapple trees — especially the ones that are truly native to North America.

What Is a Native Apple Tree?

If you grow apples, you’re probably already familiar with Malus domestica — the species behind varieties like McIntosh and Fuji. These cultivated apples trace their roots back to Malus sieversii, a wild apple species that still grows in the mountains of Kazakhstan today.

So what about here in North America?

According to Paul, Malus coronaria is a completely separate species that’s truly native to North America. It often grows in the same kinds of places where escaped domestic apples — known as feral apples — take root. These feral trees sprout from seeds that are usually spread by animals. Once they sprout, the trees grow in the wild, far from the orchards they came from.

But native crabapples like Malus coronaria have been here long before any settlers planted apple seeds. And it turns out they’re not alone.

Meet the Four Main Species of Native Apple Trees

There isn’t just one native apple tree in North America — there are four main species, each with its own region and character.

Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple)

This is the species native to parts of eastern North America, including southern Ontario. Paul explains that they grow in places like Norfolk County, Essex County, and around the Niagara Peninsula. You might even spot them along the lakeshore in Toronto. But he adds, “They don’t seem to be terribly common, and they’re hard to spot unless you catch them in bloom. They’re just small trees, usually no more than about 15 feet tall.”

Malus fusca (Pacific Crabapple)

This one is found along the Pacific Coast — from Alaska down to northern California. It’s native to that entire coastal region and thrives in wetter climates.

Malus ioensis (Prairie Crabapple)

This species is native to the Midwest plains of the United States. It’s better suited to open prairie ecosystems, with blooms and growth habits adapted to that region’s conditions.

Visit Minnesota Wildflowers for more information and images about this species.

Malus angustifolia (Southern Crabapple)

This species grows across the southeastern United States and up into the Carolinas and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. It’s native to warm, humid. It’s more drought-tolerant than some other native crabapples and is known for its fragrant pink blossoms in early spring.

Visit North Carolina State Extension for more information and images about this species.

Identification

If you’re trying to identify which wild crabapple you’ve got, size and location are your first clues. Flower and leaf shape help too. Paul mentions that Malus coronaria has lovely pale pink flowers, while most domestic apples bloom white. The leaves also give them away — the native ones often have coarse teeth and lobes, unlike the smooth, oval-shaped leaves of cultivated apples.

For more information on how to distinguish M. coronaria from other Malus species and hawthorns, visit the Husband Lab wild crabapple page.

So… Is the Fruit Any Good?

It’s a fair question.

If you’re a grower, you probably want to know whether these native crabapples are worth harvesting. Some folks use the fruit for cider or applesauce, but they’re definitely not meant for snacking off the tree.

Paul is honest about that part. “They’re very bitter,” he says. “They’re sour and bitter. So that’s probably the only kind of use you’d have for them.”

That said, Paul does point out that the trees have attractive flowers — so even if the fruit isn’t delicious, they can still be a beautiful and ecologically valuable addition to a landscape.

Can You Actually Grow a Native Crabapple Tree?

You can — but it’s not always simple.

Paul says it’s tough to find them in nurseries. “I’m not sure you can get hold of them,” he admits. “And I wouldn’t recommend people just collecting seeds from trees if they find one in the wild. There’s a very high probability you’re going to get hybrids.”

That’s because native crabapples reproduce in all sorts of complicated ways. Some seeds are created through hybridization. Others are clones of the mother tree. And still others have unusual chromosome counts — Paul’s lab has found everything from diploid to octoploid seeds, all from a single population.

So if you want to grow one, your best bet might be through a conservation program. In Canada, for example, the Green Legacy Program in Wellington County has started offering native crabapples. Jessica, who works with the program, says, “Many mammals consume the fruit, and the showy pink flowers are pollinated by bees. This is the first year we’ve had it available, and it was so popular that we’re already sold out.”

As hybridization is not uncommon, it may be prudent to confirm this through a DNA test depending on what your goals are. To this point, Husband Lab advises "caution when propagating Sweet Crabapple from seeds! Seeds collected from sweet crabapples are often hybrids with domestic apple, so you may be spreading hybrids around. Hybrids may pose a threat to native populations."

Are Native Crabapples a Good Addition to Your Orchard?

This is a bit of a grey area.

First, we have to make sure we differentiate "native" (crab)apples from "feral" apples.

While native crabapples may not be a good choice for fresh-eating, they can be prepared into value-added products and can support pollinators and biodiversity.

On the other hand, feral apples are considered "escapees" of cultivated apples that likely have hybridized over time, and there are concerns about their hardiness and harboring pests and/or disease. Paul says, “The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture actually recommends cutting down feral apple trees near orchards because they could be harboring pests and diseases.”

When it comes to native crabapples specifically, he says, “I don’t know of any reason to say no to that. There’s probably value in planting native trees generally. Maybe the benefits of helping out native bees will help the orchard as well.”

So yes — they might carry some risk, but they may also bring some unexpected benefits.

A Few Warnings about Native Apple Trees

Before you rush out to buy a native apple tree, there are a few things to keep in mind, according to Paul Kron.

• To keep your tree healthy, pick a species that’s well-suited to your local climate. For example, Paul notes that Malus coronaria lacks hardiness outside of the Carolinian zone.
• Unlike some crabapple cultivars, native apple trees may not produce high-quality pollen—so they might not be the best choice for pollinating your other apple trees.
• And if you plant them near conventional apple trees, most of the seeds will grow into hybrids. So don’t share those seeds as “native crabapple” unless you’ve had them DNA tested to be sure.

The Bottom Line

If you want to grow native apple trees, you’ll be supporting an important piece of North American biodiversity. They’re beautiful, interesting, and have a long ecological history. But if you’re growing fruit trees mainly for the harvest, native crabapples may not be the best choice.

Their fruit is bitter, they’re hard to find, and their genetics are a bit of a mystery.

The good news? There are so many other fruit tree options out there. And while they may not be native, growing your own fruit organically is still a sustainable and rewarding path.

Just make sure you choose wisely.

To grow a healthy fruit tree that actually thrives in your garden, you’ll need to understand rootstocks, pollination partners, local climate, and more. That’s exactly what I teach in my course: Researching Fruit Trees for Organic Growing Success. It’s packed with practical info that’ll help you avoid the most common mistakes — and plant a tree you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Susan Poizner

Director, OrchardPeople.com Fruit Tree Care Education

Learn more about Susan on the about us page.