North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Richard MURPHY <murphman108@msn.com>]

I have a stupid question (yes, add it to my pile)
 
What is the Botanical difference between a Crab apple and a 'standard' apple?
 
Do all young apple trees have those little spikey looking branches?
Does that only happen to seedling trees?
Is there a book or a paper describing these physical traits, if any actually 
exist?
I've been growing apple seedlings for about 4 years now, with a lot of 
variation.
Mostly for use as rootstocks and experiments.
This year I planted 9 Jonafree seeds and 9 Hidden Rose seeds just for ha-has.
The other little seedling from last years planting are 'Rte. 2 Crabs' from 
Farmington, ME
They are really small.
 
PS   Jonafree appears to take longer to break dormancy than my Braeburb and 
Wolf River.
Possibly a good tree for late-frost threats, like my z4 place.
 
Murph

R A Murphy Jr