Crabapple tree problem - Ask Extension
Hi,
We moved into a house in Redmond last year. This year we noticed a problem with a crabapple in our back yard. The tree trunk is damaged in the bac...
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Crabapple tree problem #397861
Asked May 04, 2017, 6:48 PM EDT
Hi,
We moved into a house in Redmond last year. This year we noticed a problem with a crabapple in our back yard. The tree trunk is damaged in the back and the tree looks like it has been severely pruned. The top was cut off at one time and there is a branch growing out of the side of the trunk top and up. There are no branches growing on the back side. It appears that some branches should have been cut off because they are growing straight up. Also there are many branches that are growing across one another. This is still a fairly young tree. We would like to prune it and heal the damaged trunk if that is possible. It looks like if it were properly pruned there wouldn't be any tree left. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Vonnie Noble
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Vonnie,
In looking at the photos, there are ways to do some restorative pruning that would allow it to fill in over time. There MAY also be a way to encourage some latent buds on the back side of the plant to send out side branches. As for the wound, the damage occurred a while ago as there is wound tissue developed over several seasons. There are no recommendations for this, time will tell if the tree is free from decay. Do not use any time of tree sealant, etc. If you want to come in to discuss your tree pruning in further detail feel free to call me at the number below. To set up an appt. I would be available to meet with you sometime after the 15th of May.
Thanks, Amy Jo
In looking at the photos, there are ways to do some restorative pruning that would allow it to fill in over time. There MAY also be a way to encourage some latent buds on the back side of the plant to send out side branches. As for the wound, the damage occurred a while ago as there is wound tissue developed over several seasons. There are no recommendations for this, time will tell if the tree is free from decay. Do not use any time of tree sealant, etc. If you want to come in to discuss your tree pruning in further detail feel free to call me at the number below. To set up an appt. I would be available to meet with you sometime after the 15th of May.
Thanks, Amy Jo
