Wild Apple Malus spp. Family: Rose (Rosaceae) Height: 10-15' (3-4.5 m) Tree: single crooked trunk, many spreading branches, creating a broad round crown Leaf: simple, oval, 2-4" (5-10 cm) length, blunt-tipped, fine-toothed margin, dark green in color, densely hairy below Bark: brown, scaly with peeling edges Flower: 5-petaled showy white (sometimes streaked with pink) flower, 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) wide Fruit: apple, edible with typical shape and size, 2-4" (5-10 cm) diameter Fall Color: brown Origin/Age: non-native, 25-50 years Habitat: dry soils, along fencerows and roadsides, sun Range: throughout Stan's Notes: A direct descendent from the ancestors of cultivated apples now sold in grocery stores. Introduced in colonial times to the U.S. along with the Crab Apple (p. 69). Found throughout the country now. The apples are edible and some are very delicious. The fruit has been used in jellies and desserts such as pies. These trees, usually associated with former homesteads, are found along roads or fencerows where seedlings were planted or where apples were discarded and seeds have taken root. Wide varieties of Wild Apple species are now naturalized in Michigan. Excerpted from Trees of Michigan Field Guide by Stan Tekiela All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.