What is on my crabapple tree? - Ask Extension
While checking out the fruit on our crabapple tree (which has not produced in the past), we noticed several instance of something growing on the branc...
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What is on my crabapple tree? #402228
Asked May 24, 2017, 4:37 PM EDT
While checking out the fruit on our crabapple tree (which has not produced in the past), we noticed several instance of something growing on the branches. I haven't been able to find anything that explains what this is and whether or not it's harmful (it surely looks to be).
Any advice you can provide is appreciated!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
This looks like a cluster of epicormic growth, known as a burr or burr knot. Epicormic growth is growth that sprouts from woody tree parts in response to stress. Usually you see this growth shooting out of trunks or thick branches when too much pruning has occurred.
If you are seeing a lot of these burrs, it may be that your tree is stressed. You mention that it also has not produced fruit. Read through the following fact sheet: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG86%20Com...
It is also possible that these burrs are just a characteristic of the particular variety of crabapple which you have. You can try searching that variety for information about it.
You do not have to remove the burrs.
ECN
If you are seeing a lot of these burrs, it may be that your tree is stressed. You mention that it also has not produced fruit. Read through the following fact sheet: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG86%20Com...
It is also possible that these burrs are just a characteristic of the particular variety of crabapple which you have. You can try searching that variety for information about it.
You do not have to remove the burrs.
ECN
