Sargent Crabapple

Full bloom

Malus sargentii

Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated

Quick Facts

Height
8-10 ft
Spread
10-12 typical, 16 max
Growth Rate
Moderate
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Adaptable
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4a–9b
Bloom Time
April
Fall Color
Null
Origin
Japan; discovered near Muroran, Hokkaido in 1892 by Charles
Watch for this season

Spring Canker Activation

Infection Through Stressed or Wounded Tissue

Bloom Infection Window

RustHigh

Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)

+ 9 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Phenological Calendar

As of May 14, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1926.1 to 2121.1 GDD₃₂. Sargent Crabapple has passed full bloom (1341 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 14, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,121 Full bloom
Kent / Auburn 2,113 Full bloom
Seattle / UW 2,085 Full bloom
Olympia / Tumwater 2,047 Full bloom
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,016 Full bloom
Bellingham / Whatcom 1,994 Full bloom
Sequim / Rain Shadow 1,926 Full bloom
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
Bloom start BBCH 61 1035 Apr 1-Apr 30
Full bloom BBCH 65 NOW 1341
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
Range: 662–825 GDD₃₂ (6yr)

Sources: USDA Plants Database (seasonal estimate) ; OSU phenology catalog (OSU: weather.cfaes.osu.edu) About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 14, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 30, 2026, then climate normals.

Diseases: Regionally Documented (32)

Pests: Regionally Documented (20)

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

Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.