Crabapple Malus × zumi 'Professor Sprenger'
ABOUT
Malus × zumi 'Professor Sprenger', commonly known as Crabapple, is a deciduous tree known for its attractive features throughout the seasons. The plant displays a profuse and showy burst of pink buds that open to a stunning display of white blossoms during the spring. As the flowers mature, they can create a soft, snow-like canopy of blooms that attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After the flowering period, the Crabapple tree dazzles with its foliage, which consists of lush green leaves that offer a fresh and vibrant appearance through the summer. Come autumn, the foliage may transition to display striking shades of yellow, orange, or red, providing a colorful autumnal display. The Crabapple also bears fruit, which typically manifests as small, apple-like berries. The fruit's color can range from red to yellow, and while it is often too tart for direct human consumption, it serves as an important food source for birds and wildlife during the fall and winter months when food is scarce. Throughout the year, the Crabapple's bark maintains a consistent and sturdy look, contributing to the plant's overall aesthetic. The branches might spread out to create a pleasing, somewhat rounded or irregular canopy that offers dappled shade. The structure gives the tree a pleasing silhouette even in the winter, when the leaves have fallen and the intricate branch pattern becomes more visible. Overall, the appearance of the Crabapple 'Professor Sprenger' combines an appealing blend of flowers, fruit, foliage, and form, making it a popular choice for ornamental planting in diverse landscapes.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Zumi Crabapple, Professor Sprenger Crabapple
Common names
Malus × zumi 'Professor Sprenger'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Crabapple is generally not considered toxic to humans. However, the seeds contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when chewed or digested. Ingesting a small number of seeds is usually not harmful, but consuming large quantities can potentially cause symptoms of cyanide poisoning, including headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, difficulty breathing, and increased heart rate. It is quite rare for someone to ingest enough crabapple seeds to result in significant poisoning.
To pets
The Crabapple is also generally regarded as non-toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Similarly to humans, the seeds do contain cyanogenic glycosides and can release cyanide when ingested in large amounts. While pets are unlikely to consume enough seeds to cause serious harm, symptoms of mild cyanide poisoning can occur and may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or difficulty breathing. It is important to keep an eye on pets around crabapple trees during the fruiting season to prevent the ingestion of large quantities of seeds.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters)
Spread
12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental value: The Crabapple 'Professor Sprenger' offers aesthetic appeal with its vibrant blooms and attractive fruit.
- Pollinator attraction: It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, enhancing biodiversity in the area.
- Shade provider: Its canopy can offer shade in gardens and parks, creating cooler areas during hot days.
- Wildlife support: Birds and other wildlife often feed on the crabapples, providing an essential source of food.
- Seasonal interest: This Crabapple has seasonal changes that add variety throughout the year, from spring blossoms to fall foliage colors.
- Durable: It is known to be a hardy plant that can withstand various climates and conditions.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crabapple jelly: The fruit of the crabapple can be used to make a delicious, tart jelly that pairs well with meats and cheeses.
- Natural dye: Crabapple can be used to produce natural dyes for fabrics, yielding a range of colors from yellows to greens depending on the mordant.
- Garden aesthetic: Crabapple trees offer ornamental value to gardens with their attractive flowers, foliage, and fruits.
- Bonsai: The crabapple tree is suited for bonsai creations due to its appealing flowers, small leaves, and fruit, making it popular among bonsai enthusiasts.
- Wildlife habitat: Crabapple trees provide food and shelter for various species of birds, beneficial insects, and small mammals.
- Photographic subject: With their beautiful spring blossoms, crabapple trees are often photographed by nature enthusiasts and used in landscape photography.
- Educational resource: These trees can be used for educational purposes, teaching about plant biology, pollination, and fruit development in schools and botanical gardens.
- Craft material: The wood, fruit, and blossoms of the crabapple tree can be used in arts and crafts, such as wreath making or as natural decorations.
- Floral arrangements: Crabapple branches with blossoms or fruit can provide an attractive, rustic touch to floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Soil improvement: Crabapple trees can help improve soil quality through the addition of organic matter from fallen leaves and fruit.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crabapple is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crabapple is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Purity: The delicate blossoms of the Crabapple tree represent beauty and purity, much like the commonly admired cherry blossoms.
- Love and Marriage: In some cultures, Crabapple flowers are symbolic of love and marriage, often associated with union and fertility thanks to their abundant fruit.
- Renewal and New Beginnings: As Crabapples bloom in spring, they are celebrated as a symbol of renewal and the start of new phases in life.
- Peace and Goodwill: The Crabapple tree is sometimes a gesture of peace or goodwill, presenting hope for harmony and the positive intentions behind such offerings.
- Protection: Historically, Crabapples were believed to serve as protectors against evil spirits and misfortune when planted near dwellings.
WaterThe Zumi Crabapple should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, it's crucial to check the soil moisture regularly; if the first couple of inches of soil are dry, it's time to water. Apply about 1 inch of water, which translates to approximately 0.623 gallons per square foot, every time you water. The exact amount may vary depending on soil type and weather conditions, but ensuring consistent soil moisture is key. Reduce watering in the winter months when the tree is dormant.
LightZumi Crabapple thrives best in full sun conditions. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to grow optimally and produce a robust bloom. An ideal spot for planting would be an open area away from larger structures or trees that might cast shade on it.
TemperatureZumi Crabapple is hardy and can withstand a broad range of temperatures; it typically survives minimum temperatures down to around -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Its ideal growing temperature range is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season. Avoid planting in locations where temperatures frequently drop below the hardiness range or exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during hot summers.
PruningPruning Zumi Crabapple is essential for removing dead or diseased branches, shaping the tree, and encouraging healthy growth. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Perform light pruning annually to maintain the desired shape and remove any suckers or water sprouts that may appear at the base or along the trunk.
CleaningAs needed
SoilZumi Crabapple thrives in well-draining loam with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, enriched with organic material such as compost.
RepottingTypically, Zumi Crabapple, being a large shrub or small tree, does not require repotting as it is usually planted directly in the ground.
Humidity & MistingZumi Crabapple is adaptable to various humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temps, and room to grow.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleCrabapple 'Professor Sprenger' begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in the soil during spring after undergoing stratification, a period of cold temperature to break dormancy. Upon sprouting, the seedling emerges and develops into a young sapling, gradually forming a robust root system and foliage. As the tree matures over several years, it reaches a juvenile stage where it starts to produce flowers, typically in the spring, which are pollinated by bees and other insects. Following successful pollination, the flowers develop into fruits by late summer or fall, which contain seeds to complete the life cycle. The tree enters a period of dormancy in winter, shedding leaves and halting active growth to conserve energy. Over its lifetime, which can span decades, the crabapple tree will repeat this cycle annually, with periods of vigorous growth, flowering, fruiting, and dormancy.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Malus × zumi 'Professor Sprenger', commonly known as Crabapple 'Professor Sprenger', is usually propagated by grafting. Grafting should be done in late winter or early spring, just before the sap starts flowing and the new growing season begins. The most popular method requires a rootstock, which is a plant onto which the crabapple will be grafted. The scion, which is a cutting from the 'Professor Sprenger' Crabapple with several buds, is cut at an angle and joined to a similarly angled cut in the rootstock. It is essential to ensure the cambium layers (the actively growing tissue layer) of both scion and rootstock are in contact. The join is then bound with grafting tape and sealed with a grafting compound to prevent dehydration and infection, after which the grafted plant is kept under suitable conditions to ensure successful union and growth.
