Crab apples key source of food for birds

It is just about time for spectacular flowering crab apple trees to come into full bloom. From late April into May, flowering crab apples put on a spectacular show, loaded with masses of colorful blossoms that decorate our yards and landscapes for weeks.

Wherever you plant them, flowering crab apples perform well, as long as they are in full sun to part shade. There are many varieties to choose from. Some of the flowering crab apples grow in a columnar form, while others grow in a standard tree form.

Flowering crab apples are not just beautiful to look at. They also serve many important purposes for pollinators and other wildlife species. The masses of blooms attract a wide range of pollinating species, such as bees and butterflies. These insects attracted songbirds such as orioles, wrens, tanagers and warblers that feed upon the insects that are drawn to the blooms.

In fall and all throughout the winter season, the fruits of flowering crab apples are an important source of food for migrating songbirds. Often, late in the fall or during the winter, large flocks of cedar waxwings and American robins will descend upon flowering crab apples and literally strip the tree of its fruit in a matter of hours. These flocks roam throughout the area, seeking out fruit trees such as flowering crab apples and others to provide a source of food during the winter season.

Even in the spring, when these birds return, flowering crab apples are an important source of food — especially when heavy snows arrive, as we have seen recently, covering their food sources on the ground.

There are many choices when it comes to flowering crab apples. There are varieties that bloom in pristine, snow white, along with those that bloom in light pink, darker pink and magenta. There are some that bloom in near red.

Foliage of flowering crab apples can vary widely, as well. From standard green, oval-shaped leaves to purple leaves that are cut, almost like a maple leaf, flowering crab apples are found in a variety of leaf styles and colors.

The fruits themselves may vary, as well. From tiny, red fruits to those that may be as large as a quarter in bright yellow or orange are all available.

Flowering crab apple trees make great companion plants or specimen plants in the garden. They can be underplanted with just about anything. Flowering crab apples and bridle wreath spirea, which blooms about the same time, or slightly later, are an excellent pairing. Spring bulbs are also excellent companion plants for flowering crab apples. Tulips and daffodils and hyacinths planted beneath the flowering masses create a spectacular spring garden showpiece.

Any number of perennials that prefer shade to part shade also do well beneath flowering crab apples.

Visit your local garden center or nursery to see the selection of flowering crab apples on display and plant one for years of garden beauty and benefits.

Rob Zimmer is a nature and garden author, public speaker and radio show host on WHBY. Readers can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobZimmerOutdoors.