Malus transitoria
Cutleaf Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 233

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 77

Plant Type:

Tree 581

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 498

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 809

Flowers:

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

Foliage:

Green (Summer foliage); Yellow (Fall foliage)

Fruit:

Red (0.6" dia. crabapple (pome))

Ultimate Height:

20-25 feet

Ultimate Spread:

20-30 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

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 463

Fragrant Flowers 174

Fruiting Characteristics 208

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.