Wood: The
red-brown heartwood is heavy, hard, diffuse-porous and fine-textured.
It is used to some extent for tool handles.
Wildlife: The genus Malus is an important source of food for many mammals and birds that disperse the seeds as a result of their feasting. The fruits are relished by many birds, including cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, robins, pheasant and quail. Deer are attracted to abandoned orchards, and rabbits and mice eat the bark and saplings.
Horticulture: Although the fruits make excellent jellies, these trees are usually grown for the showy flowers and ornamental qualities of the fruit. Straggly specimens may be pruned immediately after flowering (if at all), but before early June, as the next season's flowers form from mid June to early July. Because they hybridize so readily, there are probably over 600 types in the US. A large variety of crabapples are well suited to Iowa. Local nursery staff can advise on flower color, single or double forms, fruit size, edibility, persistence on the tree, and degree of disease resistance. The Betchel's crab (M. ioensis 'Plena') is one of the most beautiful flowering crabs, but is susceptible to rust. It grows to 30 feet, has deep pink buds, opening to single, white, fragrant flowers.
