<h1>Prairie Fire Crabapple, Malus Prairifire</h1>

The Prairie Fire Crabapple, Malus 'Prairifire', is a highly regarded ornamental tree celebrated for its year-round appeal, particularly noted for its disease resistance and vibrant floral display. Typically, this tree reaches a height and spread of 15 to 20 feet, making it a compact choice suitable for various landscape settings. It blooms in April and May, showcasing deep pinkish-red flowers that are both showy and fragrant. The foliage undergoes a captivating transition from purplish in spring to dark green with reddish-tinged veins in summer, culminating in an orangish hue in autumn. The small, purplish-red crabapples that follow the flowers are persistent and appealing to birds, adding to the tree's ornamental value​​.

The Prairie Fire Crabapple is best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, acidic loams under full sun but is adaptable to a wide range of soils. Once established, it demonstrates some drought tolerance. It's important to note that pruning, if necessary, should be done in late winter to avoid spring pruning, which can make the tree vulnerable to fireblight bacterium through fresh cuts​​.

This tree is celebrated not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its robust health, showing high resistance to common crabapple diseases such as scab, fire blight, rusts, leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Its rounded crown makes it an ideal choice for planting under utility lines or in mass plantings, enhancing its utility and appeal in urban and residential settings​​​​.

The introduction of Malus 'Prairifire' to the horticultural world in 1982 marked a significant advancement in crabapple breeding, thanks to its exceptional floral and fruit display, outstanding disease resistance, and unique foliage coloration. It has even earned accolades such as the 'Tree of the Year' award from the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association in 1996 for these very reasons​​.

For more detailed information, you can explore the resources provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden​​, Oklahoma State University​​, and the Arbor Day Blog​​.