Crabapple Tree That Has Green Fruit?

Q: My elderly mother has decided that she really wants a crabapple tree that has green fruit when ripe, like she remembers from growing up. What do you suggest? 

A: Almost all crabapples bear fruit in some shade of red. None are solid green. The most common definition of a crabapple is a tree that yields fruit less than 2″ in diameter. Your mother may be remembering a poorly maintained green-fruited apple tree. If you can persuade her to accept a red-fruited tree, look for ‘Dolgo’. It bears nicely sized fruit and is resistant to fire blight disease.