Disease Resistant Ornamental Tree Fruit: Malus, Prunus & Pyrus
This trial was begun in 1984 in cooperation with the International Ornamental Crabapple Society, as part of the National Crabapple Evaluation Project. The project includes replicated plantings established at some 24 different sites across the U.S. to test new crabapple introductions for year-round ornamental quality and disease resistance under widely differing climate conditions. Since 1984 we have tested some 60 varieties (taxa); some have been eliminated and new introductions added. Several new crabapple varieties from the NCEP were planted in 2000 and in 2004 the trial was expanded with the addition of ornamental cherry, plum, apricot and pear cultivars.
New varieties of ornamental fruit trees with improved disease resistance offer a wide range of bloom times, flower type and color, variable tree habits, and general characteristics suited to many diverse landscape uses, from urban patios and backyards to large park and wayside trees. Good disease resistance is especially important in maritime climate areas like ours where bacterial and fungus infections are common. Susceptible trees can easily become a landscape eyesore rather than an asset, and spread infection to healthy trees as well.
A crabapple rootstock trial was conducted from 1997–2001 to document the size-controlling effects of known dwarfing rootstocks on certain ornamental crabapple varieties with good disease resistance and differing growth characteristics.
List of ornamental tree fruit currently planted in 2007
Useful References
Bulletin EB 1809 Crabapples for Western Washington Landscapes summarizes the results of the variety trial up to 1996, with photographs and descriptions of the best rated crabapples.
Flowering Crabapples: The Genus Malus by Fr. John L. Fiala. 1994. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR, 273 pp. including prints and color plates [out of print].
Perhaps the most extensive reference book on ornamental crabapples now available. Contains information derived from Fr. Fiala’s lifetime experience as a breeder, and a comprehensive index of ornamental crabapple cultivars and species with descriptions and illustrations.