apples are pollinated via insects [bees mostly] from other trees, but even if there were no other apple trees around, the crab may be at least partially self-fruitful

there are various thinning sprays used commercially that might do a "total" if applied heavily, but you're not likely to save any work that way

considering that the crab may just be acting as a good pollen source for some other apple in the area, you're probably best off to live with it :)

Bill

Westy:

If you want to keep the tree, you have already found the best solution to the fruit problem, and that is raking them up. Can't be too bad, can it? Not bad enough to get sick.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Thanks gang. Looks like I keep raking.

Westy

Westy: Thanks a million for mentioning crabapples - brought back great memories of growing up in Illinois. We had a huge tree in our front yard, loaded every summer and fall with those sour little things. As kids we probably ate thousands of them over the years. They also were great for neighborhood "fruit wars," pretend hand grenades, rolling into the street to be crushed by oncoming cars, etc. My uneducated guess now is that they would be wonderful additions to a compost pile. Did I mention sitting under the tree enjoying the shade and the super sour taste of crabapples?