Published 7 days ago • loading... • Updated 7 days ago

What can I do to revive my struggling crabapple tree?

Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, advises removing a struggling flowering crabapple tree exhibiting severe trunk damage and showing less than half growth compared to three healthy siblings.
Winter sunscald likely caused the significant crack-type wound years ago when the tree was young; sunshine reflecting off snow causes bark cells to thaw and rupture when temperatures plummet, creating permanent injury.
Extensive damage and dead limbs indicate the crabapple tree will not recover; although it might limp along for a few years, Kinzler notes the odds of it enjoying a long life are extremely thin.
Removing the tree prevents wasting effort, as sprouts arising from the base rarely become worthwhile trees. Luckily, the other three crabapple trees remain healthy and full, escaping similar sunscald damage.
Kinzler also offers broader gardening guidance, such as raising lawn mowing heights to three inches for root health and removing rhubarb flower stalks to conserve plant energy.

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