Kerr Crab – One of Our All-Time Favorite Apples

Kerr Crab is one of our all-time favorite apples. This apple crab (a cross between an apple and a crabapple) blew Luke away when Roger Joy introduced it to him in the summer of 2016. It is Roger’s favorite apple and he has since popularized it throughout Montana. Since then, we’ve been hooked.

The cross was made by W.L. Kerr in 1938 at the Canada Experimental Farm, combining Haralson and Dolgo. It was officially released in 1952. Kerr Crab is a wonderful keeper, storing well into the new year, and it is also insect-resistant. With its beautiful red skin, yellowish flesh, and unique flavor, it will leave you wanting more.

Flavor Profile and Uses

Kerr Crab is known for its distinctive flavor profile. Some of the reactions we’ve heard from people after trying it include:

• Floral

• Cinnamon

• Cherry

• Grapes

• Almond

• Pineapple

• Even hoppy notes

In addition to being excellent for fresh eating, Kerr Crab makes a rosé-colored cider, pink applesauce, and is a delightful addition to oatmeal. This apple can withstand temperatures as low as -50°F and is rated Zone 2 for hardiness.

Hardiness and Cold Tolerance

Kerr Crab is exceptionally cold-hardy and can survive temperatures as low as -50°F, making it perfect for regions with harsh winters. Its Zone 2 hardiness makes it a reliable choice for cold-climate growers.

Kerr Crab Seedling Genetics

These trees are seedlings, meaning they were grown from seed rather than clonally propagated. As a result, there will be some genetic variability between the trees. However, we find that seedling apples in Montana often exceed expectations in flavor, and we’re consistently impressed by their quality.

The genetics of these Kerr Crab seedlings are 50% Kerr (25% Dolgo and 25% Haralson), and 50% unknown. The unknown parent could be a variety of apples, including Wolf River, Goodmac, Spartan, Honeycrisp, Liberty, Haralson, Wealthy, or Goodland.

These 50% parent apples are generally Zone 3 or colder, with several being Zone 2. Based on this, we estimate that these seedlings are hardy to at least -45°F or even colder.

Tree Size and Pollination

These seedlings are grown on their own roots, which means they will likely develop into full-size trees ranging from 20-30 feet tall. Since they are genetically unique, each seedling can pollinate the others, making them excellent for cross-pollination.