Prairifire Flowering Crabapple Tree
Description
A stunning red-leafed tree. Upright, spreading, and slightly rounded form. Crimson buds yield to long-lasting, bright pink-red single blooms. Foliage creates impact with gorgeous burgundy color that matures to red-tinged green. Bark carries the theme with an attractive reddish tint. Fruit is small and dark red – an excellent food source for wildlife! Cold-hardy. Disease-resistant to scab, cedar apple rust, and mildew. Matures to be 20-25' tall and wide.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | Pink, Red |
| Fruit Size | Very Small - Small |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 4 - 8 |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
Zone Compatibility
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow flowering trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Questions & Answers
Hi Gala, I found a few sources that say this tree holds on to the fruit for months and does not drop it.
Thank you for your question! It will do fine if you are willing to plan carefully and do a little extra work. Crabapple trees will do better than some other trees in clay soil, but your chances will be better if you make sure you don't locate the tree in an area where water stands after a rain. Plant it on a gentle slope, if at all possible. You can also amend the soil with a pH-neutral amendment before planting to give the young tree some breathing room; just add water, let it sit and mix it with the soil that was removed from the planting. Here is a link to the Coco-Fiber Planting Medium, so you can learn more about it:
//www.starkbros.com/products/tools-and-supplies/soil-additives/coco-fiber-planting-medium
Yes, the Prairifire Flowering Crabapple Tree can serve as a pollinator for a Stayman Winesap apple tree, provided their bloom times overlap. Here's why this works:
Pollination Factors
Cross-Pollination Requirement:
Stayman Winesap is not self-fertile, meaning it requires a different apple or crabapple variety nearby for cross-pollination.
Prairifire's Compatibility:
Prairifire produces abundant flowers with viable pollen that is compatible with apple trees.
It blooms mid-season, aligning well with the bloom time of Stayman Winesap in most regions.
Distance:
For effective pollination, plant the Prairifire within 50 feet of the Stayman Winesap to allow bees to transfer pollen efficiently.
Bee Activity:
Both trees depend on bees for pollination, so planting bee-friendly flowers nearby can help increase fruit set.
I am sorry to hear this. Unfortunatley if it died back past the graft it is not going to be the tree you purchased and what ever is growing is the root stock.
Yes, If you have apples and are looking for a candidate for cross-pollination prairie fire may be suitable.
No as it is a flowering tree and does not need a pollinator.
Crabapple trees are not deer resistant.
Customer Reviews
I expect it to fit perfectly in my landscape
Need to replace a small tree and liked the description
Looking forward to a reliable showy tree for landscaping. Hopefully low maintenance.
Beautiful