Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

DONATE TODAY

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
3 ratings

Sunday - January 07, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Fruit-bearing crabapple for Austin, TX
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

Is there a fruitbearing crabapple that will live in Austin. If so, what soil type is required?

ANSWER:

Two botanical varieties of crabapple are native to the Austin, Texas area: both Prairie Crabapple, Malus ioensis var. ioensis and Blanco Crabapple, Malus ioensis var. texana. Another species, Southern Crabapple, Malus angustifolia grows throughout the southeastern US, its range extending into East Texas. While all of these crabapples bear fruit, none produce particularly large fruit. Southern Crabapple often produces large numbers of apples which are an important wildlife food in its native range.

Given the right soil, moisture and light conditions most crabapples can be grown in Austin. However, other than those locally native most species require soils that are more acidic than most soils found in your area, especially the caliche soils.
 

More Trees Questions

Trees for a privacy barrier
October 06, 2007 - What would you suggest to plant for a privacy barrier along a back fence in Austin Texas? They need to be hardy and atleast 10 to 12 feet tall to block my neighbor's second story view of my yard.
view the full question and answer

Replacement for black walnut near septic tank
March 10, 2009 - We have a black walnut tree growing on the sunny side of our house which provides wonderful shade in the summer but it is such a dirty tree. The leaves drop very early as well as small branches and t...
view the full question and answer

Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX.
July 16, 2012 - I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t...
view the full question and answer

Sprouts from stems of plants from Happy Yard IN
September 28, 2013 - Is it normal for a plant to start a sprout from its own root system next to the stock/stem? Is it trying to regrow?
view the full question and answer

Transplanting Desert willows in El Paso, TX
August 27, 2009 - We have some volunteer Desert Willows growing on an empty lot nearby. Can we dig them up and transplant them in the yard? If so, how? They are about 3-4 feet tall
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.