1 Prairie Fire Crabapple (A)
Image of the Tree You are Viewing
Basic Information about this tree
Scientific Name: Malus “prairiefire”
Common Names: Flowering crabapple
Native or invasive: Cultivar of Native tree type
- Deciduous
- Sunlight / Soil / Moisture: 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
- Flowering type: Complete. 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.
- Pollination strategy: Insects
- Age Estimate/ Health: 10 years, healthy. It was 6 ft tall when planted in 2020 in memory of Mr. Vogel, the father of Dennis Vogel
- Longevity: 50 years or more
- Mature Size: 20 ft tall by 20 ft wide under ideal conditions
- GPS Coordinates: N45.00222 W92.9040
Mature Tree in Winter/ Summer
Leaves in Summer / Fall
Flowers - Complete - Dioecious
Image of Fruit
Bark of Mature Tree / root system sketch
Crabapple trees have horizontal root systems, as most nutrients are found in the top layers of soil.
Uses in Traditional and Modern Eras
Value for wildlife: A very good tree for wildlife, needs 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. Applewood is used in smoking meat.
Links & References
“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).”
https://trees.umn.edu/crabapple-malus-spp