When and how to prune crabapple trees

1. Pruning time

The time for pruning must be chosen well. Spring and autumn are more suitable seasons. The temperature in spring is suitable and the growth rate is fast. The plants will sprout quickly after pruning and will not affect their growth. In autumn, growth slows down and the required nutrients decrease, so pruning will have less impact at this time. Although pruning is possible in summer and autumn, it is not very suitable. In summer, the branches and leaves will be reduced, making it difficult to form nutrients, and the tree will not be able to supply nutrients when it grows. Although growth is slow in winter and the impact on the plants is small, pruning and regeneration are difficult at this time.

2. Pruning method

1. Thinning branches: The branches of the plant need to be pruned, and bad branches should be removed. First, remove the dead branches, yellow branches, and branches with wounds. Then thin out the plants, remove dense branches, crossed branches, overly long branches, and weak branches to reduce nutrient consumption and avoid rot caused by dense and airtight branches. When pruning, keep the main high-quality branches, and keep the number to about 4 branches.

2. Before and after flowering: Pruning is required before and after flowering to accumulate sufficient nutrients for the flowering period. Prune the plant some time before flowering to accumulate energy for flowering. Remove the remaining flowers after the flowers fade and shorten the branches appropriately.