American Masterpiece Crabapple

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Seventeen crabapple cultivars planted in 27 communities were evaluated as street trees. In most places, two cultivars were alternated within each of many plots. Cooperators in the Municipal Tree Restoration Program used standardized methods to measure them annually at the end of the growing period for 3 years and periodically afterwards until the ninth year.

Many differences were found in growth rate, height, crown width, and trunk diameter. Most cultivars had healthy foliage, though were infected with apple scab and insects. Basal sprouts were common, and low branching of broader cultivars also required periodic pruning especially in confined spaces.

Centurion®, Harvest Gold®, Red Jewel®, ‘Spring Snow’, and Sugar Tyme® are recommended as street trees based on the most extensive data. ‘Adams’, ‘Donald Wyman’, ‘Prairiefire’, ‘Red Baron’, and zumi ‘Calocarpa’ also appear promising. [3]

American Masterpiece™ Crabapple - Malus 'Amaszam', Morton Arboretum acc. 72-2000*1 [2]

American Masterpiece Crabapple requires very little pruning but any that is needed should be done before late spring, to ensure flower buds are not removed. Street trees should be trained to develop a central trunk and should be occasionally thinned to eliminate sprouts or crossed branches, and to open up the crown. Better air circulation through the crown helps reduce disease.

Crabapple trees will give years of flowers and attractive fruit highly prized by birds and other wildlife. It is best to locate them away from a patio or other hard surface so the fruits will not fall and cause a mess. Set it back just far enough so the crown will not overhang the walk, but close enough so the flowers and fruit can be enjoyed. American Masterpiece grows in moist, well-drained, acid soil in full sun locations for best flowering. They are not recommended for sandy soil due to their inability to tolerate drought, but any other soil is suitable, including clay. [1]

Crabapples with red flowers include: 'American Beauty' - double, red flowers, susceptible to scab; 'Centurion' - a columnar growth habit, red flowers followed by bright red, persistent fruits; 'Indian Magic' - red flowers, maroon fall color, small red fruit, persistent; 'Purpurea Lemoinei' - dark rose-colored flowers; 'Profusion' - red flowers and fruit; 'Red Baron' - red flowers, susceptible to scab; 'Red Silver' - red flowers, red fruit, susceptible to scab; 'Red Splendor' - red buds, red to pink flowers, red fruit, susceptible to scab; 'Royal Ruby' - double red flowers, sparse red fruit, susceptible to scab; 'Royalty' - red flowers, red fruits, young foliage purple, susceptible to scab; 'Selkirk' - susceptible to diseases; 'Sparkler', 'Tomiko' - disease-resistant, reddish-purple blooms; 'Wisley' - red flowers. [1]

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References

USDA National Forest Service Fact Sheet 393, Malus x 'Mary Potter'
American Masterpiece Crabapples, Morton Arboretum accessions 72-2000*1 & 4, photo Bruce Marlin
Henry D. Gerhold, Journal of Arboriculture 26(1): January 2000, CRABAPPLE CULTIVARS TESTED AS STREET TREES: SECOND REPORT .pdf