When do you prune crabapple trees?

Question:

When do you prune crabapple trees?

Answer:

Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant

Crabapple trees should ideally be pruned in very late winter or early spring–during their dormant period to minimize risk of the pruning stimulating new growth in the wrong time of year. Plus, it’s a lot easier to see what you’re doing before the first flush of leaves arrives!

Please also refer to our UMaine Bulleting #2169, Pruning Woody Landscape Plants for more information on the how and why of pruning, and then take a look at our UMaine instructional video on pruning crabapples to see an expert walk and talk you through it.