Pruning Crabs

[Peeps]

Ive read different thoughts about how much pruning is needed for crabs. Some say to prune them the same as apples and others say they do little to no pruning of their crabs. My crabs from SLN were planted last year and the year before that. I'm thinking that's it's time to start doing a little pruning on them.

 

[Diesel5610]

I am interested to hear theories on this. I was looking at some Dolgo's last weekend that I recently planted and I am not sure what if anything to do with them.

 

[greyphase]

Crabapples seem to put on fruit without much pruning. I prune out crossing limbs & dead limbs.

 

[CrazyEd]

I prune all my trees to central leader and try to train the branches to have good angles. Get light and airflow to the middle of the tree. Minor things that can lead to a healthier tree.

 

[sandbur]

Crabapples seem to put on fruit without much pruning. I prune out crossing limbs & dead limbs.

And water sprouts.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I aim for the central leader shape too, but I don't get too fussy with crabs. Ours are for deer - not max production for sale - so most of my pruning of crabs is toward air flow, sunlight, and removing crossed / inward-growing limbs. I agree with the guys above on their points. A regular eating apple I'd be more fussy on pruning, shape, etc.