CRAB APPLE

History
of The
Syringa grove
Crab Apple
The first crabapple trees were planted in Syringa
Park in 2004 as a long term research project by The
International Ornamental Crabapple Society and the
University of Idaho. A second planting was made in
2005. Volunteers planted five trees of each of twentyeight different cultivars. When the lead researcher
left the U of I, Lewiston Parks and Recreation began
maintaining the grove to help residents choose an
ornamental crabapple to plant in their landscape. Five
new varieties were planted in 2008.
Flowers
To reach the
Syringa Park
Crabapple
Demonstration:
Take Snake River Avenue south out of
Lewiston. Turn left onto Country Club Drive
(just past KOZE Radio). After six tenths of a
mile, turn left onto Shiloh Drive. Drive east
for two tenths of a mile then turn left onto
Syringa Drive continuing until it dead ends
in the parking area. Follow the walking path
to the north end of the park, past the rest
room to reach the crabapple grove.
Crabapple blossoms are classified by the number of
petals. Single blossoms consist of five petals, semi-double
have six to ten petals, and double blossoms contain more
than ten petals. Blossom color ranges from pearly white
through shade of pink to deep red. A few blossoms are
coral or salmon colored. Crabapple bloom can begin in
early April and continue through late May depending on
the cultivar and spring temperatures.
Lewiston Urban Forestry
1122 7th Street, Lewiston ID 83501
(208) 746-6857
www.cityoflewiston.org
CrabApple
grove
Fruit
Crabapples are related to roses. Apples and crabapples
are in the Rosaceae family and the Malus genus. Fruit
that forms from pollinated apple blossoms ripens
through the summer and fall depending on the variety.
Apple trees producing fruit two inches or less in diameter
are classified as crabapples. Ripe crabapples can be
green, yellow, orange, bronze, red, or maroon. Apples
cling to some cultivars late into the winter earning them
the label of “persistent” which makes them popular
with migrating birds. Some of the larger fruited cultivars
are popular because they are used as spiced apples or
preserved as jelly.
Growth Habit
and Size
Lewiston Parks and Recreation
The Syringa Park
Growth patterns of ornamental crabapples include
weeping, rounded, spreading, upright, vase-shaped and
pyramidal shapes. Some crabapples are only 8 feet tall
when mature others might grow to 40 feet. See the chart
inside for the mature height and width of the varieties
represented in Syringa Park. Crabapples like full sun and
tolerate soils whether rich or poor; acidic, neutral, or
slightly alkaline if well drained. Crabapples can also be
enjoyed in Hereth Park and Locomotive Park
Few trees create greater interest during all
four seasons than ornamental crabapples.
Spring buds give way to blossoms of white,
rose, purple, or shades of pink depending on
the variety. As flowers fade, leaves from glossy
green to purple emerge. Autumn brings vibrant
spectrum of colors to foliage. As crabapples
shed their leaves, bright yellow, orange, or red
fruit are revealed. Winter snows or fogs accent
interesting branch patterns and persistent
fruit attracting migrating birds. Hundreds of
ornamental crabapple varieties assure that one
is suitable for your landscape. Plan to enjoy the
beauty of the Syringa Park Crabapple grove at
least once during each season of the year.
Lewiston, Idaho