How To Propagate Dessert Apple That Has Appeared On Crab Appleon Crab Apple

Question

I have two crab apple trees about ten years old that have produced tasty dessert apples. Will they do so again next year or, if not, can I propagate them?

Answer 1

They should produce fruit every year. Proper care will help. Crabapple trees are best propagated from softwood cuttings in the spring. If your trees were grafted, your propagated trees may be somewhat different. For example, grafting usually produces fruit quicker, can increase hardiness, and make trees more compact, depending on what was used for the rootstalk.

These articles should help:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/propagation/softwood-cuttings

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/rooting-plant-cuttings.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crabapple/flowering-crabapple-trees.htm