I planted a little crab apple tree in my yard. I have been told the berries it will get on it are poisonous. I have dogs and small children playing here is it poisonous?
I don't think that there are many if any poisonous forms of crab apple. They are used for rootstock on many apple trees and I don't recall ever getting sick from eating the wild ones when I was a kid! Anyways, I found this website. And apple seeds won't kill them either by the way even though they are listed as being toxic. If the sourness does not deter your children/pets then I don't think they will be harmed. What MIGHT happen is that they may get an upset stomach and never eat them again.
Thank you for responding. I have read that they are and that they are not...I started just to pull the tree out but If I do that and find out for sure it was safe I will kick myself...If someone was to get sick that would be worse...
If you are in doubt, take a clipping of one to a plant nursery and have them test it. They should be able to tell you for sure. That would be the first place to go as they should know the particulars on your trees (if it was a supercenter/garden center on a grocery store or Walmart they might not). Also I would hold on to any of the ones you dug up until you find out. Find a nice big bucket or an empty garbage can to stick their roots in and put them in a cool place until you know whether you need to get rid of them or replant. The garage or a basement are wonderful places to keep them temporarily. Crab apples are pretty tough trees and will withstand a bit of abuse in regards to rough handling - it's one of the reasons that a lot of the apple trees you can buy have their root system from these trees. When you find out either way, post what you find please!
Crab apples can sometimes very sharp and tart and not tasty for eating. Although in Britain many birds enjoy the apples in the autumn. However, they do make a beautiful crab apple jelly. Delicious! Not at all poisonous. Added plus for a crab apple tree is the flowers in the spring. Enjoy your tree. http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=cr...sc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi
