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Crab Apple Tree didn't bloom

12 years ago

I live in Boston and this is the first year my crabapple tree didn't bloom which I believe should have done by now. I have not yet taken a close look at the tree.

Any thoughts on why it didn't bloom or is it too early?

Featured Answer

ricksample

12 years ago

What type is it? I planted 2 8' trees a few years ago. The first year both of them bloomed. The second year the first one bloomed and the second one didn't. This year the second one bloomed and the first one didn't. Mine are prarifire

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Comments (6)

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
12 years ago
It has been a very erratic spring.
Are you certain a freeze didn't get your flower buds?
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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such are the vagaries.. of mother nature ... a cruel mistress .. when it comes to providing entertainment to us mere mortals

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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
It could have been your unusually warm winter. Perhaps the required number of chilling hours for this species has not been met. I have friends and family in the Boston area who have made numerous remarks to me over the winter regarding how warm it's been.

It's also time that you DID take a close look at the tree...perhaps you can find some evidence of insect infestation or disease infection.
j0nd03
12 years ago
I had the same experience as Rick with the 2 PF crab's in my yard. Both were planted last spring and flowered ok. This spring one went crazy with flowers and now is concentrating its energy into fruit development. It has small leaves and the new growth is unimpressive so far although still growing. The other tree (the one that receives the MOST sun) flowered in 2 small sections but has put over 1' of growth with huge leaves and still actively extending the new growth shoots.

I think rhizo is dead on. This weird winter is most likely to blame for the poor flower display but a late freeze could also be the culprit.

Remember the once dormant buds have to open and the growth extend a certain distance before the flower buds will be visible. My Harvest Gold crab is in full on leaf out before flowering which really detracts from the flower show. Every cultivar is different and we don't know which one you have.

John
Pam Corrick
8 years ago
How old is the tree? We are having the same issue with ours: it didn't bloom two years ago, bloomed great last year, but barely any blooms again this year. I read that older trees can stop blooming every year. Ours is probably 18 years old, so I'm not sure if that's the factor or not.

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