What kind of tree is this?

Jun 12, 2020

Based on the leaf shape…
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

I’m going to say that this could possibly be some kind of apple, maybe an ornamental crabapple or something similar – as it’s a seedling, dropped by the birds, you may never know, and it’s unlikely that it will have fruit any time soon.

I think you should look after it, it seems to me that those leaves are pretty rare in color. I have an Almey Crab which is that color when it’s first unfurling the leaves, but they quickly turn green and stay that way all summer.

If you look around your neighborhood, you may find the parent tree. Look for an older well established tree fairly close by.

Generally, robins are the ones who will eat the fruit fallen from trees, but there may be other birds, like Cedar Waxwings (who love rotting fruit and get drunk on it!) among others. The thing to remember with those birds is that they won’t travel far without getting rid of the excess.

If you do find a similar tree (with the red leaves) you may get a better idea of what it is.

This is how new varieties are born!