Malus transitoria
Cutleaf Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 210

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 75

Plant Type:

Tree 557

Growth Forms:

Spreading / Branched 76

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 489

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 794

Flower Notes:

White (Fragrant, showy white flowers (0.6-0.8" across) in clusters in late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage); Yellow (Fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Red (0.6" dia. crabapple (pome))

Ultimate Height:

20-25 feet

Ultimate Spread:

20-30 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Well-drained heavy loam soils

Range:

Northwestern China

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Simple, lobed (occassionally entire), pubescent leaves arise in clusters on short spurs. Buds have several imbricate scales, and are usually reddish-brown with hairs protruding under scales. Fruits have multiple seeds (as compared to the single seed pit of Prunus species). The bark of mature trees is gray to brown and scaly.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 392

Fragrant Flowers 174

Fruiting Characteristics 151

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. Malus transitoria has deeply cut (and occassionally entire) foliage. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth. Can be susceptible to many pests and diseases, including apple scab, fireblight, Japanese beetles, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Many tend to look ragged at the end of the summer.