Scientific Name: Malus “prairiefire”

Common Names: Flowering crabapple

Native or invasive: Cultivar of Native tree type

Image of the tree you are viewing:

Images of mature tree:

Typical height and width at maturity: 20 ft tall by 20 ft wide under ideal conditions
Typical longevity: 50 years or more
Images of trunk bark at early stage and mature stage:

Image of leaf or leaves on a 12 x 12 inch grid:

Image of leaf or leaves in fall colors: orange-red

Images of flowers and fruit:

Flower Details: Apple trees are dioecious, the male (stamens) and female (pistil) flower parts occur in the same blossom. They need cross pollination from another apple tree in order to bear fruit.

Traditional uses in Native American Tree Medicine (historical):

TBA

Condition and age guess of the tree you are viewing: Healthy, 8 years, 6 ft tall when planted in 2020 in memory of Mr. Vogel, the father of Dennis Vogel

Soil, water, sunlight preferences:  Best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, acidic loams in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils. Established trees have some drought tolerance.

Growth habit of roots: Prairie Fire crabapple roots are usually not a problem. Crabapple trees have horizontal root systems, as most nutrients are found in the top layers of soil. When planting a Prairie Fire crabapple, you should plant it so that the roots are below the soil level. You should also make sure that the trunk flare is visible just above the roots. Crabapples don’t like poorly drained soil, so you should avoid planting too deeply.

Branch Structure: Relatively regular.

Value for wildlife: A very good tree for wildlife, need pollinators in the Spring, who gather nectar and transfer pollen. The fruits are about 3/8″ to 1/2″ diameter, and are enjoyed by deer, wild turkeys, and other birds who prefer to harvest them after a frost or two, which softens the little apples.

Utility for Humans: Provides good visual landscape effects, with a profusion of bright flowers in the Spring, lovely fall colors on the leaves, and brilliant red fruits.

Links to related interesting information:

https://trees.umn.edu/crabapple-malus-spp

“Prairie-fire (Malus ‘Prairiefire): 20 feet high and 20 feet wide; upright, rounded form; dark red flowers; purplish-red fruit. Disease resistance: scab (excellent), fireblight (excellent), rust (excellent), mildew (excellent).”