Crabapple trees are hardy and don't require much care.An occasional touch up can encourage healthy new growth and help maintain an attractive silhouette.If you want to prevent disease, remove damaged or decaying branches.You can focus your attention on the branches that are poorly formed, as well as the outlying branches, which may steal valuable resources from the rest of the tree.
Step 1: During the dormant season, do your majorPruning.
The best time to fertilize a crabapple tree is late winter or early spring.The tree may be more vulnerable to cold-related injury if you get away withPruning in mid- or early winter.Wait until after the first killing frost of the season to fertilize your crabapple tree.In a pinch, it's okay to fertilize after the tree has bloomed, but this can increase the risk of "fire blight" and other warm-weather diseases.If you are located in the Southern hemisphere, aim to have yourPruning finished before June or December.
Step 2: Pruning can be done with a saw or a chainsaw.
It will be easier to get through thick branches with one of these tools.Chainsaws offer more power for quick and easy trimming, while handheld saws allow for greater control so you can only take off as much unwanted growth as you need.It may be helpful to have a pair of loppers to remove the smaller stems from the canopy of the tree.
Step 3: There are large limbs that connect to the trunk.
Start by notching the underside of the branch from where it meets the trunk.Next, cut further out on the limb, sawing all the way through.The stump at the collar is where the branch grows out of the trunk.Excess bark will peel off the trunk once the limb is free.Don't cut flush with the trunk.Through open wounds in the trunk, insects and disease-causing organisms can easily find their way into the tree.
Step 4: First, remove dead or dying wood.
Look for branches that are rotting or brittle.Remove the entire limb from the affected branch.If you don't know if the branch is dead, you can remove part of the bark with your fingernails.If the flesh is green-white, it is still alive.It is most likely dead if it is brown or black.At any time of the year, keeping your crabapple tree free of dead wood is a good idea.
Step 5: Cut away branches that are growing outside.
Sometimes a branch will twist in on itself as it grows, reaching back toward the center of the tree.You don't have to cut into the trunk or nearby branches if you see these branches close to the collar.The tree will be a neater, more uniform shape if the branches are removed.
Step 6: The branches are growing too close together.
It is possible for some branches to become entwined or compete for space.If you want to get rid of branches that are already crossing, take off both branches.For branches that are growing close together but not yet crossing, you can only remove one branch.If you remove only one branch, make sure to remove the weakest one.
Step 7: If you want to, remove the lower branches.
Walking, mowing, or other activities that require you to pass beneath the tree can be interfered with by low-hanging branches.If this is the case, sawing them off close to the trunk would be the best way to deal with them.Make your cuts as clean as possible.It is best to let your tree's lower branches stay if they are not causing a problem.
Step 8: The suckers need to be removed.
There are suckers that grow around the bases of mature trees.A pair of gardening shears can be used to remove suckers.The suckers emerge from the ground when you clip them down low.The crabapple is usually the root of the basal suckers.These tiny branches can become whole new trees if left alone.The parts of the crabapple tree you want to preserve will get more energy if suckers are removed as soon as possible.
Step 9: Don't allow emerging water sprouts.
Water shoots grow out of the main branches of a tree.Water sprout can be cut with a pair of shears when they emerge from the branch.Take them away from the base with shears.When the water is young and green, try to catch it.You will be able to pull them off by hand, which makes it harder for a new one to grow.Diseases, rot, and other problems can be caused by too many undesirable shoots in a tree.
Step 10: Pruning should be kept to a minimum.
A lot of arborists want their crabapples to grow by continually trimming their live branches.Over-pruning can cause an explosion of water sprout growth.If you want to shape up your tree, limit yourself to a few scattered cuts, and then thin out smaller branches all the way back to the parent stem.If the tree is cut back too much, it is likely to produce a lot of water sprout.Don't remove more than 20% of the tree's live growth in a year.It could stunt its growth or even kill it.
Step 11: Entire sections of the tree should be removed.
Crabapples are prone to Fire Blight, especially afterPruning.If you see growth that is suffering from fire blight, you should remove the branch with the parent stem.After disposing of both parts in a leaf bag or similar container, thoroughly wash your tools.The burnt or blackened branches of the affected trees can produce "mummified" fruit.If your notice fire is on a large limb, you may be able to save it.To prevent the disease from spreading, try to remove the outer layer of bark all the way down to the healthy tissue underneath.
Step 12: If you come across any other wood that is bad, remove it.
Crabapples are susceptible to a number of plant diseases.A safe distance away from the rest of the tree is the best place to dispose of branches showing signs of disease.Infections can be spread from one part of the tree to another if you don't wash your gardening tools thoroughly.The simplest way to make a new cut is to dip the blades in rubbing alcohol.It may be too late to save the tree if it appears to be sick.