In addition to being totally beloved by my backyard birds, the crabapple trees in our last yard offered some sort of interest all year round. In early spring, the cultivar we had produced these beautiful dark red buds, that burst forth with clouds of bright pink blossoms. For two weeks, the blossoms buzzed with the activity of bumble bees and honey bees. Then in summer, as the final pink petals fell away, the foliage faded to a glossy green and the made the tree perfect for shade. Many birds sheltered in it’s dense branches and full foliage. Slowly, as the crabapples grew in size, the tree became flecked with lovely red fruits. In fall, the foliage blazed in shades of amber and orange, which complimented the red crabapples beautifully. The apples clung to the bare branches well into winter, and provided a feast for wildlife. Deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and my backyard birds all enjoyed the fruits. And so, if you are looking for a tree with year-round interest—plant a crabapple!