{"product_id":"crabapple-prairie-fire-bare-root","title":"Crabapple, Prairie Fire, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrairie Fire Crabapple (\u003cem\u003eMalus ‘Prairifire’\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie Fire crabapple, cultivar ‘Prairifire’, combines dark pink spring flowers, reddish young foliage, and small persistent fruit. It can also supply pollen to apple trees whose bloom overlaps its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUseful pollen with a colorful spring display\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrairifire can pollinate compatible apple cultivars while bringing dark pink flowers to the orchard edge. Flowering overlap matters, so use it as part of a planned mix rather than a universal replacement for apple partners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFoliage and fruit extend the season\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYoung leaves emerge maroon-red before becoming greener through summer. Small dark red fruits can remain after leaf fall, adding winter interest and food for fruit-eating birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDisease resistance helps its landscape role\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrairifire is valued for resistance to several common crabapple diseases. Maintain light and airflow and monitor for symptoms; resistance varies with local conditions and does not mean immunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCan provide pollen to compatible 2027 apples such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-gala-bare-root\"\u003eGala\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-ambrosia-bare-root\"\u003eAmbrosia\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-gibson-gold-bare-root\"\u003eGibson Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-honeycrisp-bare-root\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e where flowering overlaps. Keep different pollen-producing apple cultivars in a mixed orchard, particularly around triploid apples. Cross-pollination depends on overlapping bloom, not matching harvest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Mature Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for approximately 15–20 feet at maturity, depending on site and pruning. The offered variant identifies the rootstock; keep the graft union above soil level and remove rootstock suckers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to medium-dry, well-drained soil; avoid standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 15–20 feet; see rootstock and pruning guidance above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-season spring; dark pink to red flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small dark red to maroon crabapples; chiefly ornamental and wildlife forage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orchard pollen diversity, spring flowers, foliage color, and bird forage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small fruits color in autumn and may persist into winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e A reliable cultivar-specific chill-hour requirement is not established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Useful apple pollinizer where bloom overlaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 4–8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneral Crabapple Orchard Guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eA good start\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose well-drained soil and enough room for the mature tree. Water consistently while roots establish, mulch with space around the trunk, and keep vigorous grass and other competitors away from the young root zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFertility and fruit-tree guilds\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a soil test to guide lime and fertilizer rather than feeding heavily by default. Our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tree-planting-kit\"\u003eTree Planting Kit fertilizer blend\u003c\/a\u003e is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots and avoid excess nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/resources\/transform-your-garden-build-a-fruit-tree-guild-that-practically-grows-itself\"\u003efruit-tree guild guide\u003c\/a\u003e for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003ePractical pest and disease care\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrune for good structure and airflow, remove damaged fruit and fallen diseased leaves, and watch for scab, rust, and fire blight. Resistance reduces disease pressure but is not immunity. Avoid insecticide use during bloom so bees can move between crabapples and orchard apples.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Turner and Son Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Bare Root \/ 7\/16\" caliper \/ Standard Rootstock","offer_id":49843308003587,"sku":"TFT-1637","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Crabapple-Prairie-Fire-Tree-For-Sale_1d92ab48-6c22-4049-b45b-eed7dd86348a.jpg?v=1792116208","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/crabapple-prairie-fire-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}