How to Prune Crab Apple Trees for the Best Shape

Crab apple trees are ornamentals and provide interest in all four seasons. Pruning them to maintain an attractive shape keeps them looking their best whether planted in parks, home landscapes, along highways or near commercial buildings. The buds and flowers provide color in the spring, ranging from white, coral, pink or red. The foliage is attractive in the summer and turns an array of colors in the autumn. Fruit on the crab apple ranges in colors from reddish-purple to orange, yellow and green, and in some varieties lasts into late winter.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Prune crab apple trees in late winter -- February through early April -- for the best results. Trimming the tree in spring or summer may cause susceptibility to fire blight. Autumn or early winter pruning may result in limbs that die at the pruning site or dry out.
- 2
  Trim the water sprouts with pruning shears. They are rapidly growing shoots from the branches. Cut them back to the base of the branch. This ensures that the tree receives plenty of sunlight and ventilation, and prevents the tree from becoming overcrowded.
- 3
  Prune off the suckers, which are fast-growing shoots at the base of the tree or near the roots. This maintains the attractive shape.
- 4
  Cut back any diseased or damaged branches or any branches that cross each other. Trim them just beyond the branch collar -- where the branch connects to the base of the tree. Don't leave a stub. This pruning method helps the branch to seal itself to protect against disease.

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