Apple variety
Chestnut Crab
Also known as Chestnut Crabapple
Growing facts
| Chill requirement | 800–1,000 chill hours (our estimate — no published figure) |
|---|---|
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3–4[1] |
| Pollination | Needs a pollination partner[1] |
| Harvest window | September[2] |
| Years to bearing | 4–5 years (typical for apples)[3] |
| Appearance | Large crabapple with russet skin; rich, intense, nutty flavor[1] |
Pollination partners
Plant another Apple variety with an overlapping bloom time nearby.
Notes
- A cold-hardy 1946 U of M crabapple with unusually large, nutty-flavored fruit; also a good pollinizer. Ripens early September.[2]
A year with your Chestnut Crab
When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 4, anchored to typical frost dates.
| Task | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prune | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Thin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Spray timing | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Harvest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Care | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Can I grow Chestnut Crab where I live?
Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:
Growing a Chestnut Crab? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.
Save this tree in My OrchardQuestions
- What hardiness zones suit Chestnut Crab?
- Chestnut Crab grows in USDA zones 3–4.
- Is Chestnut Crab self-pollinating?
- No — Chestnut Crab needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.
Sources
- [1] University of Minnesota Extension. Growing apples in the home garden — accessed July 2026
- [2] University of Minnesota (Minnesota Hardy / Horticultural Research Center). All University of Minnesota Apple Varieties — Minnesota Hardy — accessed July 2026
- [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026