Bechtel 'Plena'
Malus ioensis
Bechtel 'Plena' (Malus ioensis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Not Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide, and needs low to medium water. Fireblight susceptibility — choose disease-resistant cultivars.
low to medium water15–25 ft tall and 15–25 ft wideXeric / water-wiseToxic to dogs
Photos
At a glance
- Rating
- Not Recommended
- Botanical name
- Malus ioensis
- Variety / cultivar
- Bechtel 'Plena'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 15–25 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- pink, white
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Insects & Diseases
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen — winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bechtel 'Plena' good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Bechtel 'Plena' is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Not Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Bechtel 'Plena' get?
- It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much water does Bechtel 'Plena' need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Bechtel 'Plena' safe for dogs?
- No — Bechtel 'Plena' is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
