How To Propagate Crabapple: 4 Methods for Making New Trees

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A man visible in the background pruning a flowering apple tree branch.

Growing your own crabapple trees can provide a fulfilling sense of achievement.

Not only does it allow you to multiply your favorite varieties, but it also provides an opportunity to learn about and engage with the fascinating process of plant reproduction.

This guide will introduce you to four different methods of propagating crabapple trees: cuttings, seeds, grafting, and air layering.

We’ll also explore other propagation methods and best practices for successful propagation.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to caring for these delightful trees, my article, Crabapple Care and Maintenance, is for you.

Method #1: Cuttings

Cuttings are a common method of propagation for many plants, including crabapple trees. This method involves taking a piece of the parent plant, usually a stem, and encouraging it to develop its own roots.

Steps for Propagating Crabapple From Cuttings:

  1. In late spring or early summer, select a healthy, vigorous branch from your crabapple tree. The branch should be mature but still flexible, usually from the current or previous year’s growth.
  2. Using a sharp, clean knife or pruners, cut a 6-8 inch length of stem. The cut should be made just below a node, which is a bump where a leaf or bud grows. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
  3. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone. This step is optional, but it can increase the chances of successful rooting. This is the one I use.
  4. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a mix of half perlite and half peat moss. The cut end should be buried about 2-3 inches deep.
  5. Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light, and keep the soil consistently moist. In a few weeks to a few months, the cutting should develop its own roots and can be transplanted into a larger pot or directly in the ground.

Method #2: Seeds

Propagating crabapple trees from seeds can be a bit more challenging as seeds often require a period of cold stratification to germinate. However, growing a tree from seed can be a rewarding experience.

Steps for Propagating Crabapple From Seeds:

  1. In the fall, collect ripe crabapples, and extract the seeds.
  2. Mix the seeds with moist sand, and store them in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for 90-120 days.
  3. After stratification, plant the seeds in a pot filled with a seed-starting mix. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep the pot in a sunny location.
  4. Once the seeds sprout, keep the soil moist, and protect the seedlings from extreme weather. When they’re large enough to handle, they can be transplanted to their final location.

Method #3: Grafting

Grafting involves joining a piece of one tree (the scion) to the root system of another tree (the rootstock). This method is often used to propagate specific varieties of crabapple trees.

Steps for Grafting Crabapple:

  1. The scion should be a healthy, vigorous branch from the desired variety of crabapple. The rootstock should be a hardy, disease-resistant variety.
  2. Cut the scion and rootstock so that they have matching, angled cuts. The cuts should be clean and smooth for the best chance of successful grafting.
  3. Fit the cut surfaces of the scion and rootstock together and secure them with grafting tape or a rubber band.
  4. Apply grafting wax (find it here) or a similar sealant to the graft to prevent it from drying out.
  5. Keep the grafted tree in a sheltered location until the graft has healed and the scion begins to grow.

Method #4: Air Layering

Air layering is a propagation method that encourages a branch to develop roots while it’s still attached to the parent tree. This method is often used for larger branches that are difficult to root as cuttings.

Steps for Air Layering Crabapple:

  1. Choose a healthy, flexible branch on the crabapple tree.
  2. Make a slanting cut about halfway through the branch. Prop the cut open with a small piece of wood or a toothpick.
  3. Apply rooting hormone to the cut. This step is optional but can increase the chances of successful rooting.
  4. Wrap the cut area with a handful of moist sphagnum moss, and then cover it with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic with tape or twine.
  5. Over several weeks or months, roots should develop in the moss. Once a good network of roots has formed, the branch can be cut from the parent tree and planted.

Other Propagation Methods

While cuttings, seeds, grafting, and air layering are the most common methods of propagating crabapple trees, there are a few other techniques you might come across.

Budding

Budding is a type of grafting that involves joining a single bud from one tree to the rootstock of another. This method is often used in commercial fruit tree production.

Division of Suckers or Root Cuttings

Some crabapple trees produce suckers, or shoots, from their roots. These can be separated from the parent tree and planted on their own. (Note that suckers are not the same as water sprouts.)

Similarly, some trees can be propagated from root cuttings, although this method is less common.

Tissue Culture for Mass Propagation

Tissue culture, or micropropagation, is a laboratory technique used for mass propagation of plants. It involves growing plant cells in a nutrient medium under sterile conditions.

Best Practices for Successful Propagation

Regardless of the propagation method you choose, there are a few best practices that can increase your chances of success.

Choosing Healthy Plant Material

Whether you’re taking cuttings, collecting seeds, or selecting a scion for grafting, always choose healthy, vigorous plant material. Avoid any branches or fruits that show signs of disease or pest damage.

Timing and Seasonality Considerations

The timing of propagation can have a significant impact on success.

As a general rule, cuttings and air layering are best done in late spring or early summer, while seeds should be collected in the fall. Grafting is usually done in late winter or early spring.

Proper Care and Maintenance During Propagation

During the propagation process, it’s important to provide proper care and maintenance.

This includes keeping the plant material moist, providing appropriate light conditions, and protecting the plant material from extreme weather.

Providing Optimal Growing Conditions

Once your new crabapple tree is established, it will need optimal growing conditions to thrive. This includes a sunny location, well-draining soil, regular watering, and periodic fertilizing.

Final Thoughts

Propagating your own crabapple trees can be a rewarding and educational experience.

Whether you choose to propagate by cuttings, seeds, grafting, air layering, or another method, the process allows you to engage deeply with the life cycle of trees and the miracle of plant reproduction.

With patience, care, and the detailed instructions in this guide, you can successfully propagate your own crabapple trees and enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come.

Tending to a Crabapple tree doesn’t have to be hard, especially when you know the secrets of the professionals. Here are some other articles you might find interesting: