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Fruit & Orchards

Crabapple trees

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

9 years ago

I am looking for suggestions regarding 2 old crabapple trees...here is a photo of one of them.
There aren't any other fruit trees on property or on either side (neighbours); but - eventually - I would like to plant some.
Is it worth keeping such old & neglected trees?
They both would need major "renovations". Not that I know what I am supposed to do - but have been reading this forum for a year or so (& asked 2 or 3 questions...)

I have to cut down couple or few old pine trees, so if they were better to be removed (the crabapple trees), I would like to do it at the same time.

TIA. Rina

Comments (2)

Jimmy Forester
9 years ago
several reasons to save them if they arent in the way. Most obvious is that they would probably pollinate any apple trees you decide to plant. The best thing you could do is to graft some other apple varieties on it, That way you would already have a nicely devoloped root system and you don't have to worry about killing young roots

watch these videos. Hes doing nectarines but its the same concept

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtXmBVsolY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjb4N83YG5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc66DxVtiAA
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
Original Author
9 years ago
jimmy21

Thank you for answering & the links. That is the reason to keep them - future pollination, and being mature. They will not be in the way, and will have good sun after other trees are taken care of.

Any suggestions as of pruning any/parts of the old branches now? If so, what time of year? All I know that one should not take off more than 1/3rd of the growth...

Rina

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