Flowering crab damage - Ask Extension
i have a flowering crab that has peeling bark and lots of dead branches. One of the main branches seems to be completely dead. Should those be cut ou...
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Flowering crab damage #236252
Asked April 11, 2015, 4:17 PM EDT
i have a flowering crab that has peeling bark and lots of dead branches. One of the main branches seems to be completely dead. Should those be cut out? Can the tree be saved or should I have the whole tree removed.
Linn County Iowa
Expert Response
The dead branches should be removed (pruned out). Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about the peeling bark.
Removing would require taking off a very large portion of the trunk. Is that okay to do this time of year?
If a branch is dead, it should be removed (not matter how large it is). Dead branches can be removed at any time of year. The removal of dead branches does not harm a tree.
