Ralph Shay Crabapple: How to Care for a Ralph Shay Crabapple Tree
A Ralph Shay tree: what is it? Mid-sized Ralph Shay crabapple trees have round, eye-catching leaves that are a deep green color. Spring brings pink buds and white flowers, and then brilliant red crabapples that keep songbirds alive well into winter. The Ralph Shay crabapples have a large diameter of approximately 1 ¼ inches (3 cm). The tree reaches a mature height of roughly 20 feet (6 meters), with a comparable spread.
Developing Blossoming Cranberries
USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 are suitable for Ralph Shay crabapple trees. The tree can be grown almost anywhere with well-drained soil, although it is not recommended for hot, dry desert climates or regions with humid, rainy summers. Add a lot of organic material, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to the soil before planting. After planting, encircle the tree with a thick layer of mulch to keep the soil evenly moist and prevent evaporation; however, avoid letting the mulch heap up against the trunk’s base.
Ralph Shay Care of Crabapples
Regularly water Ralph Shay crabapple trees until they become well-established. In hot, dry weather or during prolonged droughts, water established trees a few times a month; otherwise, very little additional moisture is required. For about half an hour, place a garden hose close to the tree’s base and let it drip gently. The majority of mature Ralph Shay crabapple trees don’t need fertilizer. But if the soil is poor or the growth appears sluggish, fertilize the trees each spring with a well-balanced granular or water-soluble fertilizer. If the leaves on the trees seem pale, feed them with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Although they don’t usually need to be pruned, crabapple trees can be pruned in late winter if necessary. Remove any twigs that are dead or broken, as well as any branches that rub up against or cross one another. Steer clear of pruning in the spring as this can let bacteria that cause disease into the tree. When suckers appear, remove them.
