Red Barron Crabapple
Full bloomMalus 'Red Barron'
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Quick Facts
Bloom Infection Window
Spring Emergence / Primary Infection
Pupation
Phenological Calendar
As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Red Barron Crabapple has passed full bloom (1305 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,098 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,089 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,063 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,025 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,993 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,972 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,906 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 | 990 | Late April (Puget Sound) |
| ● Full bloom BBCH 65 NOW | 1305 | Late April to early May (Puget Sound) |
Source: HortGuide regional interpretation based on Morton Arboretum bloom timing About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 13, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 29, 2026, then climate normals.
Diseases: Regionally Documented (3)
Diseases: Other Associations (1)
Pests: Regionally Documented (3)
Red Barron is the established narrow columnar purple-foliage crabapple for utility-line plantings — included on J. Frank Schmidt's UtiliTrees™ list specifically for sites where overhead lines constrain canopy height. The 18 × 8 ft narrow columnar form combined with ascending branch structure makes the cultivar a practical choice for street-tree applications under utility infrastructure. Reddish-purple spring foliage maturing through bronze-green provides multi-season interest. Disease resistance is mid-tier (Fair on scab, Good on fire blight) — meaningful regional caveat for maritime PNW where scab pressure is high; the modern alternative 'Raspberry Spear®' offers similar narrow columnar purple form with Excellent disease resistance across all four major diseases. Use Red Barron where utility-tree designation, historical availability, or price point favors it over Raspberry Spear; specify Raspberry Spear when disease resistance is the priority. Cross-reference modern alternative: 'Raspberry Spear®' (similar narrow columnar purple form, Excellent disease resistance across all four diseases).
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist