Oregon Crab Apple
Malus fusca
The only crab apple native to the Pacific Northwest, this small thicket-forming tree lines tidal marshes and streambanks with fragrant spring blossoms and small, tart fruit that Coast peoples traditionally stored through winter in water or oil.
Where found
Wet thickets, streambanks, and estuary edges throughout the coastal Pacific Northwest.
Fun facts
- The only apple species native to the Pacific Northwest.
- Its small tart fruit was traditionally stored submerged in water or fish oil through winter.
- Forms dense, thorny thickets that provide important streambank cover for wildlife.
Specs
| Height | 4–12 m |
|---|---|
| Spread | 4–8 m |
| Lifespan | 60–100 yrs |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Native Range | Southern Alaska to northern California, mostly coastal |
