I do not know the species, it makes tiny dark red berries in fall that even birds don't like but I want to remove this branch so that more western sunlight reaches my vegetable garden in the afternoon (Images taken in the early morning)
Whats the diameter of the yello branch?
Also try to get an ID of the species of tree.
Firm-Brother2580
Appears to be some variety of crabapple. They take pretty well to trimming, but that’s going to leave a large wound. If it were my tree, I’d go ahead and trim it. Worst case you lose the tree, which it sounds like you don’t care that much about, and it’s not going to damage anything if it fails. I’ve had crabapple get topped in the wind, and they recover just fine.
bumbah
Dead center of the tree is a wound that is about the same size as the yellow branch. I’d venture to say it didn’t do harm, so go for it! (I’m not an arborist, just a homeowner with tree experience)
Amazing-Fox-6121
Probably fine but do it in late winter just before spring.
Look up the 3 cut pruning method.
campatterbury
This looks an awful lot like a red bud.
While not clear, there appear to be classic blooms. There are a few spots on trunk/limbs that are consistent with storm pruning (common in these trees). Further, bark is consistent with red bud.
If a red bud, pruning the undesirable limb is ok. However, there is more disease risk pruning now than in winter. That said, these trees are pretty resilient.
NickTheArborist
I wouldn’t bother. Damage that amazing tree so you can get three more tomatoes?
Stevie-Bee
Yes. No real worries as long as your cut is good – look up 3 cut techniques and collar cuts
TacoDonJuan
Sure, go ahead.
curtishavak
I would wait until late fall to minimize trauma and not waste all the energy the tree has already put into that branch.
Bludiamond56
Yeah you can cut it. Leave a 2 inch collar, no prune paint
International_Bar383
As long as its the green highlighter branch
devildocjames
If you cut all of the markings then the entire tree will be gone.
Serious_Classic_100
Better yet, why not reduce the entire branch for eventual removal? This practice mitigates stress. Crab apples tend to be susceptible to a host of diseases. In my experience, mitigating stressors for susceptible species goes a long way.
I’m seeing a lot of comments saying go for it, but there is a chance it could be the cut that kicks off a slow death spiral. With that said, it could also be totally fine.
14 Comments
The illustration is lovely.
Whats the diameter of the yello branch?
Also try to get an ID of the species of tree.
Appears to be some variety of crabapple. They take pretty well to trimming, but that’s going to leave a large wound. If it were my tree, I’d go ahead and trim it. Worst case you lose the tree, which it sounds like you don’t care that much about, and it’s not going to damage anything if it fails. I’ve had crabapple get topped in the wind, and they recover just fine.
Dead center of the tree is a wound that is about the same size as the yellow branch. I’d venture to say it didn’t do harm, so go for it! (I’m not an arborist, just a homeowner with tree experience)
Probably fine but do it in late winter just before spring.
Look up the 3 cut pruning method.
This looks an awful lot like a red bud.
While not clear, there appear to be classic blooms. There are a few spots on trunk/limbs that are consistent with storm pruning (common in these trees). Further, bark is consistent with red bud.
If a red bud, pruning the undesirable limb is ok. However, there is more disease risk pruning now than in winter. That said, these trees are pretty resilient.
I wouldn’t bother. Damage that amazing tree so you can get three more tomatoes?
Yes. No real worries as long as your cut is good – look up 3 cut techniques and collar cuts
Sure, go ahead.
I would wait until late fall to minimize trauma and not waste all the energy the tree has already put into that branch.
Yeah you can cut it. Leave a 2 inch collar, no prune paint
As long as its the green highlighter branch
If you cut all of the markings then the entire tree will be gone.
Better yet, why not reduce the entire branch for eventual removal? This practice mitigates stress. Crab apples tend to be susceptible to a host of diseases. In my experience, mitigating stressors for susceptible species goes a long way.
I’m seeing a lot of comments saying go for it, but there is a chance it could be the cut that kicks off a slow death spiral. With that said, it could also be totally fine.
And oh my god the drawing is lovely