Sargent Crabapple
Malus sargentii
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Sargent crabapple is the compact ornamental crabapple most suited to small Puget Sound gardens, reaching only 8 feet tall with a 16-foot spread. The compact size makes disease management easier than on full-sized crabapples. That said, 42 diseases and 26 pests are documented, and the diseases that matter here are the same as for all Malus in our region: fire blight in wet springs, scab during extended wet periods, and powdery mildew. The tree tolerates our lowland soils better than many crabapples. Bloom starts around 230 GDD base 50, typically April. The small red fruit persists into winter and provides bird food. For a flowering ornamental tree on a small lot with typical lowland soil, Sargent crabapple is a reasonable choice if you accept the disease monitoring that comes with any Malus in our climate.
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1070 to 1180.6 GDD₃₂. Sargent Crabapple has reached bloom start (1035 GDD₃₂) and is approaching full bloom, predicted around Apr 14.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,181 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 160 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,171 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 170 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,111 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 230 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,106 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 235 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,101 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 240 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,075 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 266 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,070 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 271 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● Bloom start BBCH 61 NOW | 1035 | Apr 1-Apr 30 |
| ○ Full bloom BBCH 65 NEXT | 1341 | — est. Apr 14 (forecast) |
| Bud break BBCH 07 | — | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Leaf emergence BBCH 11 | — | Mar 1-Apr 1 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | — | Apr 15-May 15 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | — | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | — | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
| Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93 | — | Oct 1-Nov 15 |
| Dormancy BBCH 97 | — | Nov 15-Feb 28 |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 19, 2026, then climate normals.