Question
Can a crabapple tree be rooted from seeds?

Answer
Hi Teresa,
Thanx for your question.  Yes, you can grow crabapple trees from seed.  The problem is, if the crabapple is a hybrid.  The seeds will probably not develop into a plant that exactly resembles the parent plant.  In fact in all but the fewest cases, the plants will be inferior to the hybrid plant.  Hybrids are genetically unstable and do not come true from seed.  However, it is fun to grow from seed to see what you get and just because a plant may be inferior to the hybrid doesn't mean the fruit won't be edible or palatable.  The sprout crabapple seed, the seed needs to be cold treated for 60-90 days.  You can similulate this by placing clean seed in a damp paper towel, put it inside a plastic baggie and seal and then place in the fridge for 2-3 months.  After that period, take the seeds out of the fridge and out of the plastic baggie and plant them in a pot of moist but not soggy potting soil.  Make sure the soil is kept moist and warm and well-lit and the seedlings should emerge sporadically after about 2 weeks.  When seedlings are large enough to handle, plant in separate pots.  If seedlings are not large enough to plant in full sun by August, allow them to go dormant in the fall and store the pots in an unheated garage or shed where they will be protected from the cold north wind.  Keep the pots watered throughout the winter and the seedlings should come out of their dormancy the next spring.  I hope this helps.
Tom