Weeping Crabapple Malus 'Echtermeyer'
ABOUT
Malus 'Echtermeyer', commonly known as the Echtermeyer Crabapple, is a visually striking ornamental tree. This deciduous tree is celebrated for its seasonal changes and display of flowers and fruits. During spring, the Echtermeyer Crabapple is covered with a profusion of deep pink to red buds that open into fragrant dark pink flowers, providing a dramatic contrast against the emerging reddish-purple foliage. As the season progresses, the leaves transition to a bronze-green color, offering a beautiful backdrop for the flowers. Following the spring bloom, the tree produces small, maroon or purple colored crabapples which are attractive to birds and wildlife, adding another element of interest to the landscape. These fruits generally persist into the winter, providing food for birds and a splash of color against the bare branches. The leaves typically turn into a blend of orange and red tones during the fall, completing the tree's year-round visual appeal. The branching structure of the Echtermeyer Crabapple forms a pleasing pattern, with the branches often arching gracefully. Unlike some other varieties of crabapple which may exhibit thorns, the Echtermeyer is known for its smooth branches which make for easier care and handling during pruning or maintenance activities. Its bark, meanwhile, has a textured appearance that adds to its ornamental qualities, especially during the leafless winter months. Overall, the Echtermeyer Crabapple's appearance is characterized by its dramatic floral display, attractive foliage transitions, ornamental fruits, and pleasing branching structure, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add year-round visual interest to their landscapes.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Weeping Crab Apple, Echtermeyer Weeping Crab.
Common names
Malus 'Echtermeyer'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant known as Crabapple 'Echtermeyer', like other members of the Malus genus, may contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, primarily in the seeds. If the seeds are chewed and ingested in large quantities, they can release cyanide into the body. Symptoms of poisoning from cyanide can include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, seizures, and in severe cases, respiratory failure leading to death. However, poisoning from consuming crabapple seeds is rare, as one would have to ingest a very large number of seeds for a toxic dose.
To pets
The Crabapple 'Echtermeyer' is similarly toxic to pets, as it is to humans. The seeds of the fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested in large quantities. Pets chewing on and ingesting a significant number of crabapple seeds could potentially suffer from cyanide poisoning with symptoms similar to those in humans, which might include panting, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, and shock. If a pet ingests crabapple seeds and displays any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek veterinary care immediately. However, it is generally unusual for pets to consume enough seeds to reach a toxic level.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds stunning visual interest to gardens with its weeping branches and attractive blossoms.
- Pollinator Friendly: Attracts bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the pollination of many fruits and vegetables.
- Produces Fruit: Bears edible crabapples that can be used in jellies, preserves, or as a food source for wildlife.
- Shade Provision: Offers shade to smaller plants and can create cool areas in gardens, reducing the local temperature.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides year-round interest with flowers in spring, fruits in late summer, and leaf color changes in autumn.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Serves as a habitat and food source for birds and other wildlife, enhancing biodiversity.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting Material: The wood of the crabapple tree can be used for woodworking projects, such as turning small decorative items or creating custom handles for tools.
- Natural Dye: The fruit of the crabapple can be boiled to extract a natural dye for fabrics or art projects.
- Wildlife Habitat: Crabapple trees can provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and small animals within a garden ecosystem.
- Fruit Pectin: Crabapple fruit is high in pectin, which can be extracted and used for making homemade jams and jellies.
- Photography: With its attractive blossoms and fruit, the crabapple tree offers photogenic opportunities for nature photography.
- Educational Tool: The crabapple tree can be used in educational settings to teach about plant life cycles and pollination processes.
- Floral Arrangements: Crabapple branches with blooms or fruits can be cut and used in decorative floral arrangements.
- Culinary Garnish: Small crabapple fruits can be used as an edible garnish for food presentation in gourmet dishes.
- Landscape Design: Crabapple trees can be used in landscape design to create focal points or natural borders in garden settings.
- Printing Blocks: Slices of crabapple branches can be dried and carved into blocks for traditional block printing techniques.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crabapple tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crabapple tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and elegance: Malus 'Echtermeyer', commonly known as Weeping Crabapple, is admired for its graceful weeping form and beautiful blossoms, often symbolizing refined beauty and an appreciation for the aesthetic.
- Renewal and hope: As a flowering tree that bursts into bloom in spring, the Weeping Crabapple is seen as a symbol of new beginnings and the hope that comes with the arrival of a new season.
- Love and affection: The delicate flowers of the Weeping Crabapple can represent love and affection, suggesting tenderness and care in relationships.
WaterThe Weeping Crabapple requires regular watering to ensure that the soil remains moist but is not waterlogged. During the growing season in spring and summer, water the tree deeply about once a week with 1 to 2 gallons of water, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. In the fall and winter, reduce watering to every two weeks if there is no significant rainfall. Adjust the frequency of watering based on the weather conditions and the moisture level of the soil, which can be checked by feeling the soil a couple of inches below the surface.
LightThe Weeping Crabapple thrives in full sunlight, which means it needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The best spot for planting the tree is in an area where it is exposed to clear, direct sunlight for most of the day without being shaded by buildings or other trees. While it can tolerate partial shade, optimal growth and flowering are achieved in full sun.
TemperatureThe Weeping Crabapple is a hardy tree that can withstand cold winter temperatures, handling drops down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Its ideal growing temperatures during the active growing season are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The tree is well-suited for temperate climate regions and will enter dormancy in winter to survive the cold.
PruningPruning the Weeping Crabapple is important for maintaining its shape, removing dead or diseased branches, and promoting better air circulation. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Thin out crowded branches and cut back any that are growing towards the center of the tree. Pruning should be done annually, focusing on maintaining the desired weeping form of the tree.
CleaningNot needed
SoilWeeping Crabapple prefers well-draining loam with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0; mix garden soil, compost, and peat for optimal growth.
RepottingWeeping Crabapples usually don't need repotting as they are outdoor trees, but juvenile trees in containers may need repotting every 2-3 years.
Humidity & MistingWeeping Crabapple thrives best in outdoor conditions with natural humidity levels; specific humidity control is typically not necessary.
Suitable locationsIndoor
It's challenging to grow Weeping Crabapple indoors due to its size and light needs.
Outdoor
Plant it in full sun, well-draining soil, and water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Malus 'Echtermeyer', commonly known as the Weeping crabapple, begins its life cycle as a dormant seed which, under the right conditions of warmth and moisture, germinates and sprouts into a seedling. As it grows, the seedling develops into a young tree with a strong root system and a weeping growth habit due to its arching branches. Throughout its juvenile phase, the Weeping crabapple grows in height and spread, eventually reaching maturity where it begins to produce distinctive bowing branches laden with vibrant pink to red blossoms each spring. Following pollination, typically by bees, the flowers develop into small crabapples that provide food for wildlife and may drop to the ground to potentially germinate new trees. In autumn, the foliage of the Weeping crabapple often turns colorful shades before the leaves drop, preparing the tree for winter dormancy. This deciduous tree continues this annual cycle throughout its lifespan, which can extend up to 50 years or more, depending on environmental conditions and care.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Malus 'Echtermeyer', commonly known as the Weeping Crabapple, is propagated most effectively through grafting. This technique involves taking a scion, or a cutting from a young branch with this season's growth, and attaching it to a rootstock, which is a separate plant with an established root system. The best time to graft Weeping Crabapples is in late winter or early spring before the buds break into growth. Grafting is beneficial as it combines the desirable characteristics of the 'Echtermeyer' variety with the disease resistance and hardiness of the chosen rootstock. The scion is usually cut to have at least two or three buds and is joined to the rootstock by making matching cuts on both, ensuring a tight fit and securing them together with grafting tape or wax to prevent dehydration and promote healing.
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