Pruning a Crabapple Tree | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner prune his crabapple tree.

Time: 4 hours

Cost: $50

Skill Level: Moderate

Tools List for Pruning a Crabapple Tree:

Shopping List:

Steps:
1. A crabapple with brown leaves may have apple scab disease, a fungal infection.
2. Roger recommends removing any branches that are low enough to be bumped when mowing the lawn.
3. When removing a large branch, use the three cut method. First, make an undercut about a third of the way through the branch.
4. Next, make a top cut a few inches out from the undercut. This allows the weight of the branch to fall without damaging the bark.
5. Finally, cut a flush cut just above the branch collar.
6. Roger also recommends removing any branches that are rubbing together.
7. Use a pole saw to cut any branches that are out of reach, using the same 3 cut method.
8. Small branches, called suckers, can be removed along the large branches.
9. Remove grass within a 4 foot radius of the trunk. Use a string looped around the trunk to determine the circle’s size and pull the grass by hand so as not to damage the tree roots. If no roots are present in the top of the soil, a grub hoe can be used.
10. Spread mulch around the tree about 2” thick using a rake, keeping it away from the trunk of the tree.
11. Where water can collect and cause rot, drill a _” drainage hole.

Resources:
All tools used, including pruning saws, pole saws, pruning sheers, and pruning poles are available to purchase at the local home center.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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Pruning a Crabapple Tree | Ask This Old House

[IAmNotAFunguy]

RIP Roger Cook, a great landscaper and a great teacher!

[MAR]

I like how these professionals let the homeowner do allot of the work, I think it’s more gratifying in the long run

[evan]

I love these trees, my parents had one in the front yard when I was a kid, except it was a lot bigger and it bloomed in the spring. The low hanging branches were the coolest part and were fun to climb on as a kid

[MrRaymondyates]

I just love this old house and ask This Old House and all the guys on there they're all the best

[soundwaveprez]

I'm so glad you look like you're feeling better. Here's to many more years

[grabbaloot]

i have a test tomorrow and I'm watching videos of people do yard work

[marko_sr]

4:20 That's exactly what I am in my family tree.

[maxs]

I like this video. The best place to buy fruit bearing crabapple trees is Ty Ty Nursery that is located in Georgia, with several kinds of trees.

[TristanKeddy]

"Because I want to preserve and improve the health of this tree. Now, let's drill a half inch hole straight through it."

[fastsetinthewest]

My highest regards to Roger. JMJ. Teagards...

[flyeaglesfly]

1:32 just a couple guys cutting tree branches lmao

[coreybessasparis]

This is how many times he said I can do that
👇

[joblessalex]

Drill a hole straight through the tree, yet worried about surface roots....

[bigPerm]

Rest in peace, Roger. Thinking of you today.

[jackscott]

Very helpful. A boarder for the tree looks even better. Plant some summer annuals at the bottom that won't effect the tree what so ever.

[middy]

Dang I think the tree was like “nah a little rot is okay, I don’t want a root canal, Roger!!” 7:35

[Parmesana]

I have a 'dwarf' apple tree that is way taller than I ever expected...and I need to trim it back.. thanks..also, i have a tree(magnolia type?) that I hve been pruning and trimming like this crabapple..and it has flourished .. I trim out those thin vertical branches. Like most things that I've seen you prune...Hand pruning to allow light in..helps immensely

[versatileduplicity]

Very smart idea with that shovel and tree

[kevino]

The hole in the tree will compartmentalize pulling up the roots that close to the surface are called the absorption roots they take in nutrients from the soil

[porkchop]

1:28 “you can grib it really good with 2 hands” that is what I tell my wife