matthews

Matthews (aka Mathews) is thought to be either Malus coronaria (the North American native Sweet Crabapple or a Malus coronaria hybrid (M. coronaria x M. domestica). In his book, Crabapples: the Genus Malus, John Fiala refers to the cross as Malus x heterophylla. Evidently the tree was obtained by the great horticulturalist Charles Downing, brother of Andrew Jackson Downing, in about 1873. Downing gave it to B.A. Mathews of Knoxville, KY who was known to be growing it in 1898. Presumably the name comes from him.

My interest in Matthews comes from a curiosity in unusual Malus species, especially selections that may be desirable for cooking or cider. We think Matthews may fit that description. The large, single, pink flowers also have ornamental value. The leaves are typical of Malus coronaria. We have not yet seen the fruit, but it is supposedly yellow-green, about 2” in size and oblate in shape. We obtained our scionwood from the USDA in Geneva NY (PI 589005). Currently growing at Super Chilly Farm.