Should I Prune This Tree?

[SwampCat]

This tree began life as a bareroot dolgo crab apple. The top just lingered for a year or two and died back and this present tree is a sprout from the root. It is a couple years old now - but is really thin and limby. What would you do with this tree - now or future.

 

[Native Hunter]

Since it is from a rootstock, here is what I would do:

1. This year remove half of the bottom limbs below the top of the post. Make clean cuts right up against the trunk.
2. Next year remove all remaining limbs below 5 feet high.
3. Keep these lower limbs trimmed off if they try to grow back.
4. In the third or fourth year I would topwork the tree to the desired cultivar. You could get into the scion exchange thread, and someone would likely send you some more Dolgo or maybe something else you would want.

Good luck.

 

[SwampCat]

Since it is from a rootstock, here is what I would do:

1. This year remove half of the bottom limbs below the top of the post. Make clean cuts right up against the trunk.
2. Next year remove all remaining limbs below 5 feet high.
3. Keep these lower limbs trimmed off if they try to grow back.
4. In the third or fourth year I would topwork the tree to the desired cultivar. You could get into the scion exchange thread, and someone would likely send you some more Dolgo or maybe something else you would want.

Good luck.

Would a purchased dolgo not be on dolgo rootstock? I am not a grafter. Killed a number of persimmons trying

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Maybe not. It could be on another rootstock. Dolgo can be grafted onto a number of rootstocks. We have 2 Dolgo's on Antonovka roots. Try looking into who's selling it and ask them what rootstock it's on. Seedling trees (not grafted) - Dolgo included - can vary as to what fruit they eventually produce.

 

[SwampCat]

I have two dolgo’s close to it that I really like - so I could get scion off one of those trees.

 

[bigboreblr]

Definitely prune. Leader is going to fight the other branches. Since growth is slow pick the growth you want.

Prune or replace.....

Fireblight issues?

 

[SwampCat]

Definitely prune. Leader is going to fight the other branches. Since growth is slow pick the growth you want.

Prune or replace.....

Fireblight issues?

No fireblight - yet. Also no CAR and surrounded by cedar

 

[Native Hunter]

Would a purchased dolgo not be on dolgo rootstock? I am not a grafter. Killed a number of persimmons trying

It could be on another rootstock. Dolgo doesn’t have to be on Dolgo rootstock.