When Should Crabapple Trees Be Pruned?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The time for crabapple pruning is when the tree is dormant, but when the possibility of severely cold weather has passed. This means pruning should be done in

late winter or early spring

, depending on your local climate and temperatures.

How fast does a royal raindrop crabapple grow?

Growing in USDA zones 4 to 8, this variety grows

36 inches per year

to reach a height of 15 to 30 feet with a spread of 10 to 20 feet.

How do you prune royal raindrop Crabapple?

Prune Royal Raindrops flowering crabapple

after flowering in spring

if needed to remove dead or damaged wood or branches that rub or cross other branches. Remove root suckers at the base of the as soon as they appear.

How big does a royal raindrop crabapple get?

The Royal Raindrops crabapple will reach a

height and width of 15 feet

. This variety features pinkish flowers and deep purple foliage. The masses of fragrant magenta flowers start to appear in mid-spring.

How do you prune crabapples?

Malus (crab apple)

Prune initially to create a single main stem, and then only to improve the balance and overall shape of the canopy. Remove

badly

placed or damaged branches, as well as lowest branches to produce a clear stem.

Can you keep a crabapple tree small?

Crabapples on dwarf rootstock don’t take up much space. Although these can still grow up to 12 feet tall, they can be easily managed in a

small garden

, with judicious pruning.

What is the lifespan of a crabapple tree?

Whether you have a crabapple tree in your garden or want to plant one, expect it to live

between 30 to 70 years

. From what we found, most crabapple varieties have similar lifespans and will produce flowers each spring. When it comes to how fast they grow, crabapples are slower-growing trees versus other species.

Are crabapples toxic to dogs?

The Bad. As with full-sized apples, the stems, leaves and seeds of crab apples contain cyanogenic glycosides, or

cyanide — toxic to puppies and dogs

. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, reduced blood oxygen, decreased heart rate, seizures, coma and even death.

Are Royal Raindrops crabapple messy?

Royal Raindrops Crabapple

Here is the crabapple we’ve all been waiting for…

not the messy, high maintenance varieties

that will tease you with great color only to succumb to disease and messiness, but an exciting new selection that will please even the most hardcore skeptics.

How do you care for royal raindrop crabapple?

Royal Raindrops Crabapple Care

Water Royal Raindrops regularly during the

first few years to establish a healthy root system

; thereafter, an occasional deep watering is sufficient. Beware of watering excessively, which may cause root rot. The tree may need additional water during hot, dry weather.

Are crabapples edible?


A crab apple’s flesh is perfectly safe for people to eat

. But like other apples, the seeds contain a toxic compound that can turn into cyanide when eaten. But don’t worry — these apples are safe as long as you avoid the seeds and core.

What is a lollipop crabapple?

Lollipop crabapple is a

slow-growing, dwarf version of an ornamental crabapple tree

, named because of its pleasant, rounded shape. Mature height of Lollipop crabapple is about 8 feet, with an equal spread. White blooms appear on the tree in springtime, followed by small, golden crabapples in late summer.

Can you leave crab apples on the ground?

Crab apple (Malus spp.) … Some species can hold the fruit into winter, but the fruits from most crab apple trees eventually drop to the ground where they make an obstructive mess. Rather than leave them to rot on the ground,

you can remove them to maintain a neatly manicured lawn

.

When should hydrangeas be pruned?


Autumn is

the time to ‘dead head’ or prune off spent flowers. Winter is the main period of pruning (wait until frosts have gone in cooler zones though). Losing their leaves for us makes it easy to see what we’re doing!

How much can you prune a crabapple tree?


Never cut more than 20 percent of a crabapple’s canopy in one season

: the tree will depend on nourishment from leaves growing on the remaining branches. And try to remove roughly equal amounts of branch wood from every side of the trunk to maintain aesthetic as well as physical balance.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.