Start by cutting the dead branches, the diseases or damaged ones and then the ones that bothers you. You can cut back the long ones, the ones that are too low and are in the way. You can also remove some density in the middle of the tree, this helps with air flow and bring more sun to leaves. Limit the pruning at no more than 30% of the overall tree. Have fun!!
chrissyanthymum
Start with any branches that have damage from rubbing against other branches, if any. Then the lowest less performing branches, and dunno I guess trim the youngest tallest branches as well. Try to make straight clean cuts to the nearest branch node without leaving just unsightly bare sticks
ackwards
If you want to maximize health and fruit production, hire a professional. If you want it to look pretty, get yer saw out
Worried-Flower1593
Sorry but get rid of it, does not and never will fit the space.
Forsaken_Taste3012
Anything that’s blocking the sidewalk to start.
Actually in general I’d probably just take it up from the bottom. Let it be more of an umbrella. Easy to walk under, provide some shade, but open all around the bottom. Maybe slightly back from the house.
If you could get up top you could shape it from there as well, but just taking it up from the bottom and making it clear for walking would be good. Everything doesn’t have to be done at once either. Figure it out more over time.
And then always cut back *to* something. Don’t just cut a branch in the middle. Take it back to a node, or near the trunk.
Packman714
It’s an old one and prolly has never been cut for shape. To be honest maybe just take it down. It looks healthy so that’s like the only reason I’d prolly not take it down. Start at the top and prune it as best as you can maybe prune underneath the canopy so you can walk with out getting an eye poked out too. Don’t take off big limbs start with the small ones to shape it.
OpinionatedOcelotYo
It’s a bit of an art, not a mystery but an art. Find the neighbor (maybe they have an exquisite landscape?) and ask them for a favor, a lesson maybe. Big difference between a great job and a medium job. A perfect crabapple is a thing of beauty!
hennway1
R&R the tree , REMOVE & REPLACE
Arctalurus
Hire a competent arborist.
stupidlazysluggish
prune it in the off-season when all leaves have dropped so you can really get it into shape.
Next-problem-
I would prune the heck out of that. make it more 2 dimensional by cutting the sides over the sidewalk and walkway. It will thank you for if. There’s not much terra firma supporting it so it needs to be smaller to get the food and water it needs.
11 Comments
Start by cutting the dead branches, the diseases or damaged ones and then the ones that bothers you. You can cut back the long ones, the ones that are too low and are in the way. You can also remove some density in the middle of the tree, this helps with air flow and bring more sun to leaves. Limit the pruning at no more than 30% of the overall tree. Have fun!!
Start with any branches that have damage from rubbing against other branches, if any. Then the lowest less performing branches, and dunno I guess trim the youngest tallest branches as well. Try to make straight clean cuts to the nearest branch node without leaving just unsightly bare sticks
If you want to maximize health and fruit production, hire a professional. If you want it to look pretty, get yer saw out
Sorry but get rid of it, does not and never will fit the space.
Anything that’s blocking the sidewalk to start.
Actually in general I’d probably just take it up from the bottom. Let it be more of an umbrella. Easy to walk under, provide some shade, but open all around the bottom. Maybe slightly back from the house.
If you could get up top you could shape it from there as well, but just taking it up from the bottom and making it clear for walking would be good. Everything doesn’t have to be done at once either. Figure it out more over time.
And then always cut back *to* something. Don’t just cut a branch in the middle. Take it back to a node, or near the trunk.
It’s an old one and prolly has never been cut for shape. To be honest maybe just take it down. It looks healthy so that’s like the only reason I’d prolly not take it down. Start at the top and prune it as best as you can maybe prune underneath the canopy so you can walk with out getting an eye poked out too. Don’t take off big limbs start with the small ones to shape it.
It’s a bit of an art, not a mystery but an art. Find the neighbor (maybe they have an exquisite landscape?) and ask them for a favor, a lesson maybe. Big difference between a great job and a medium job. A perfect crabapple is a thing of beauty!
R&R the tree , REMOVE & REPLACE
Hire a competent arborist.
prune it in the off-season when all leaves have dropped so you can really get it into shape.
I would prune the heck out of that. make it more 2 dimensional by cutting the sides over the sidewalk and walkway. It will thank you for if. There’s not much terra firma supporting it so it needs to be smaller to get the food and water it needs.