Dolgo Crab

Originated at the Experimental Station, Brookings, South Dakota in 1897, from seed obtained from Russia, and introduced in 1917. The tree is vigorous, narrowly upright, spreading somewhat with age, and annually productive. It is hardy to Zone 1, and susceptible to fire blight. The fruit is small, 3 cm (1 – 1.5″) in diameter, ovate to oblong conic, with a pointed basin, and matures in late August early September. The skin is yellow base, heavily or totally washed with scarlet and covered with a heavy bluish bloom. The flesh is creamy to yellow, crisp, juicy, acid, aromatic, and somewhat astringent. It is only fair for fresh eating and canning, very good for jelly and good for juicing. It bruises easily, and does not keep well. It is valuable mostly as an ornamental because of its large pinkish-white blossoms and colourful fruit.

I don’t have this one in the orchard, but included it as information about the rootstock, and it is a very hardy apple-crab that will grow just about anywhere.

From the USDA Germplasm website: Fruit: size 3.5 cm(crab apple), purple red with heavy bloom, elongated. Jelly. Dependable pollinator; interplanted in old orchards or grafted into tree tops throughout the United States. “One of the most beautiful and useful crabs ever developed” according to Smithfield Exp. Farm, Trenton, Ontario, Canada. Resistant to cedar apple rust, mildew, scab, sun scald and fire blight. Ripens in late Aug. or Sept.

Origin: South Dakota

Hardiness: Moderately Hardy

Ripening: Late

Size: Crab

Texture: Medium

Taste: Tart

Uses: Dessert and Sauce

Rating: 3

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photo by Clair Lammers