Are crabapples edible?

Crabapples are edible according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Most varieties of crabapples have a very sour taste and are usually used for making cider, apple butter, jams or jellies rather than eaten as-is. Some Asian cultures use them as a sour condiment.

Some crabapple trees are used as landscape ornamentals because of their vibrant springtime flowers and colorful fall fruit, and they also are popular in bonsai gardens. Their fruit is known to last through winter.

Crabapple trees are also used to pollinate orchards with other types of apples. They are either placed between near every six or so trees, or their limbs may be grafted onto another variety of tree.