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Orange Pippin Trees USA logoSpecialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard

Hewe's Virginia crab apple tree

Malus domestica 'Hewe's Virginia'

Hewe's Crab
Hewe's Virginia is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 3

Hewe's Crab is a very old crab apple, also commonly known as Virginia Crab.

Although most crab apples are grown for their ornamental value, Hewe's Crab is grown primarily for hard cider production. It produces a high quality clear juice which adds a dry flavor to cider blends.

This is also a good pollinator of other apple trees, since it produces lots of blossom over quite a long period.

Crab apple photo courtesy of apple enthusiast Mike, Glen Rock PA

Hewe's Virginia crab apple trees for sale

  • 1Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
    Dwarf rootstock
    Out of stock
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  • 2Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
    Semi-dwarf rootstock
    Out of stock
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  • 3Semi-standard 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 10ft-16ft after 10 years
    Semi-vigorous rootstock
    Out of stock
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How to grow

Hewe's Crab is fairly easy to grow, and (unlike many hard-cider varieties) is usually a regular bearer.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

This variety is thought to have originated in Virginia in the 18th century. It is widely known as both Hewe's Crab and Virginia Crab.

Hewe's Virginia characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Pollination group3
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • Picking seasonLate
  • UsesCulinaryJuiceHard cider
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 3 (-40C)
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Country of originUnited States