Spring / Summer 2025Pre-order now for delivery September onwards.
Tel. 01759 392007

Elk River crab apple trees

Malus coronaria
Check pollinators >
Elk River is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Blossom colour: Pink - light
  • Fruit colour: Green

Elk River is a form of Malus coronaria, the American Crab Apple, also known as the Sweet Crab Apple. This species is characterised by its cold-hardniess, late flowering period, and fragrant blossom.

Elk River features large fragrant flushed dusky pink single flowers in spring.

In autumn it produces small bright green persistent crab apples in autumn. These are not particularly palatable, but can be used for cider or preserves.

The leaves also take on autumnal tints.

Elk River crab apple trees for sale

Pot-grown

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year 12L pot-grown tree Semi-vigorous rootstock£71.50
    Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root treeSemi-vigorous rootstock£44.00
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)

Need help? Ask our fruit tree experts

Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.

Tree specification

Photos of trees as supplied | Tree sizes and forms

Pre-ordering

Pre-order now for delivery in September 2025

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Growing and Training

Unlike most crab-apples, Elk River is not a good pollinator of mainstream apple varieties.

Elk River is very susceptible to cedar apple rust, although this is not usually an issue in the UK.

History

Elk River was discovered in the Elk River area of Minnesota in the 1930s, and introduced by the Niels Hansen of the South Dakota Agriculture Experiment Station.


Elk River characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group5
  • Pollinating othersPoor
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonVery late
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping (of fruit)3 months or more
  • Food usesHard ciderEdible fruits

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Scab (Apple and Pear)Very susceptible
  • Fire blightVery susceptible

Identification

  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Flowering monthMayJune
  • Blossom colourPink - light
  • Fruit colourGreen

British-grown trees Trees grown in the UK.

Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.

In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK. Find out more

Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.

More about crab apple trees

We have a huge range of crab-apple trees, with blossom colours from white to dark crimson, and fruitlet colours from red to orange to yellow, and lots of different sizes and forms.

It is well-known that many crab-apples (especially the ones with white blossom and green leaves) are excellent pollinators for mainstream apple varieties. This is because they produce huge quantities of pollen, usually over a long period, and with good compatiblity. Evereste, Golden Gem, Golden Hornet, John Downie and Red Sentinel are popular for this purpose.

While crab-apples are primarily used for their ornamental value, many are also useful for crab-apple jelly, and providing natural pectin for cooking with.  Have a look at Laura, Jelly King, Pink Glow, and Harry Baker.


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