Pre-order for spring 2024We are now accepting pre-orders for the spring 2024 planting season.
Orange Pippin Trees USA logoSpecialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard

Centennial Crab crab apple tree

Centennial Crab is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Mid
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 3
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Centennial Crab crab apple trees for sale

  • 1Medium 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
    Semi-dwarf rootstock
  • 2Large 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 10ft-16ft after 10 years
    Semi-vigorous rootstock
Next deliveries

We are now accepting pre-orders for the spring 2024 planting season.


Centennial Crab is a cross between the very cold-hardy crab-apple, Malus Dolgo, and a cold-hardy apple, Wealthy. In most respects it resembles a large-fruited version of Malus Dolgo.

Centennial Crab produces small red apples (albeit large by crab-apple standards) which have a relatively sweet flavor, but are best used for cooking, especially crab-apple jelly.

How to grow

Centennial Crab is easy to grow, and cold-hardy to zone 4, possibly zone 3.

Like most crab-apples which have been developed from regular apples it is not self-fertile, but is readily pollinated by mid-bloom apple varieties or crab-apple varieties.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Centennial Crab was developed by the University of Minnesota. It was introduced in 1957, and is named to honor the 100th anniversary of Minnesota becoming a state (in 1858).

Centennial Crab characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Pollination group3
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • WildlifeAttractive to birds - Deer.RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking seasonMid
  • UsesEating freshCulinary
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • Cooking resultPuree
  • Juice styleSharper
  • General resistanceGood
  • FireblightSome resistance
  • ScabVery resistant
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)(3) -40F / -40C
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1950 - 1999
  • Flesh colourCream
  • Fruit colorOrange / Red
  • Fruit sizeLarge

Similar varieties

  • Dolgo
    Malus Dolgo, also known as Pink Glow, offers early-season white flowers and dark pink fruits.
  • Wealthy
    Wealthy is a dual-purpose apple, with an excellent reputation for cold-hardiness.