Author Topic: Crab apple question  (Read 2500 times)

caroline7758

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Crab apple question
« on: January 19, 2017, 10:08:04 »
My crab apple tree (Golden Hornet) has developed long thin shoots from the end of the branches.these shoots haven't had any fruit on. I haven't noticed this in previous years. is this a problem, or is it just new growth? Also, is now a good time to prune the tree or should I wait a while?

Palustris

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Re: Crab apple question
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2017, 15:59:24 »
These are called Water shoots.
Now is a good time to prune them back to one bud from the point of origin. Or at least that is what I would do.
Gardening is the great leveller.

johhnyco15

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Re: Crab apple question
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2017, 20:00:08 »
i agree with all of the above :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: water shoots sometimes grow when trees have been pruned too hard  the previous winter/spring so the tree reacts by trying to restore the canopy by sending up a lot of skinny shoots that go straight to the sky  hope this helps
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

caroline7758

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Re: Crab apple question
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2017, 20:27:40 »
Thanks for the advice. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have never pruned it since we planted it, but it has had some fairly rough treatment due to a hop climbing into it and being pulled out of it every year!

 

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