This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Pruning a young crab apple
Caroline Donald
Posts: 2
in Talkback
I have a young crab apple which we planted last spring. It flowered and fruited well last autumn, so much so that it pulled the 3 young leader branches downwards. We staked it, harvested the apples and waited for pruning time. Do I just cut the top 3 branches back by 6 inches or so, to make sure that the tree does not develop a list to one side. I thought I had seen somewhere that you were not supposed to cut branches back, just prune unwanted branches off at the trunk. Can anyone help me with some advice?
0
Posts
Well they're in pruning group 1 Caroline which is about now, but unless it's a mess or sever!ey misshapen a light prune is all that will be necessary. I can half see what you're saying but a picture would be helpful. I'd support the leaders if I were you using bamboo canes tied in. It will provide some support however some crab apples do have a lax habit anyway. Depends on the variety.