Report naturalized apples and crabapples (Malus spp.)

Apple and crabapple trees (Malus spp.) are familiar and much loved, but there’s an interesting mystery surrounding these fruit trees. Arboreta across the world track plants that may become invasive, and apples are one of the most commonly noticed escaping plants. Right now there are very few reports of escaped apples in the Lake States. 

Report naturalized trees using EDDMapS. Early detection is key to controlling new invasive species. Apple and crabapple trees are common and beloved fruit and community trees. However, if you see non-native apple (Malus spp.) species escaped into natural areas, report them to EDDMapS. We want to know if they're spreading. 

Watch this 2:11 minute video to learn how to report to EDDMapS.

Learn to identify non-native apple and crabapple trees. Many ornamental fruit trees will begin to flower around the same time in the spring. Apple and crabapple trees usually bloom about two weeks later than Callery pear. Last year in Minnesota they started blooming in very late April.

Prairie crabapple, Malus ioensis, is the only apple tree native to Minnesota, and should not be reported to EDDMapS if found in the wild. It can be distinguished by its unique lobed or deeply serrated leaves and small green fruit.

Watch this 6:23 minute video to learn how to identify common ornamental fruit trees.