WSU Clark County Extension
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Prairiefire Crabapple

Scientific name: Malus sp. 'Prairiefire'
Taxonomy
Family:Rosaceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:4 to 8
Sun:Full sun
Plant Characteristics
Height:20 ft
Width:20 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:May
Bloom Color:Pink
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Prairiefire crabapple is considered one of the best of the scab resistant crabapple cultivars in the nursery trade. It has purple new foliage, clear red-pink flowers, and abundant dark red fruit.

  Morphology:
This deciduous tree grows to a mature height of 20’ with a spread. It bears purple leaves in the spring which later turn to reddish green as they mature. The leaves are arranged alternately, and are simple.

In May flowers form all over the tree. They have a pinkish red color and are 1.5” in diameter. The flowers keep their wonderful color all through the blooming period.

Flowers give rise to dark-red fruit which are .5” in diameter. The fruit hang on the tree during the fall and winter providing food that larger song-birds greatly enjoy.

During the long days of winter the reddish-brown bark of a Prairiefire crabapple resembles that of a stone fruit tree.

  Adaptation:
This cultivar is easily grown on a host of sites all across the temperate zone. It prefers full sun.

  Pests:
Very resistant to apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fireblight and mildew. However the fruit are attractive to apple maggot. This tree should be avoided in areas where commercial apple plantations are established. If apple maggot is not controlled, infested fruit can harm neighboring orchards.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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