Malus fusca |
Native Region: West Coast North America
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; well draining soils
Harvest Date: Thursday 06 October, 2011
Seed count: 15-20
Description:
Our native crabapple. Sweet almond scented pale amber/ivory flowers festoon the fruiting spurs in early May. Small oval bronzy coloured fruits are much enjoyed by the birds after a frost (if not sooner). Used for pectin and jelly...if you're inclined, but its a great wildlife tree. Rugged bark on older specimens. Leaves often have pointed lobes midway along the edge...distinguishing it from domestic apple saplings. Hardy plant reaches 20 feet. Grows in same environment as our native Cornus nuttallii.
Notes:
First Nations harvested these green, placed them in bent cedar boxes filled with water and stored them in a cool place. Over the winter the flavour changed from tart to sweet with a scent of cotton candy.
Cultivation:
Soak seed 24 hours and sow 5mm (1/4 inch) deep in preferably compost. Keep moist. Needs 30-90 days of cold stratification. Will sprout with abandon in early March given 15-20C. Grow in containers or nursery bed until of sufficient size to be planted in its final site.
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