Mame Crabapple Project

Grant Hamby

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Over the summer I separated a couple crabapple air-layers and I'm starting to see a mame within one of them. When I separated it, I chopped it at almost the right spot, but now that I see a mame, I need to chop it slightly differently. My question is when, but any tips on making a clean chop will be appreciated!

Here's the front:
IMG_2875.JPG

And here's the side marked with the proposed chop site:
You_Doodle_2016-10-26T18_03_04Z.jpg

And here's my inspiration:
IMG_2383.JPG
 

Grant Hamby

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I would honestly just use some concave cutters to clean the wound up to how you want rather then read chopping such a tiny section off. I'd do it in spring so the tree can callous quicker.
Nice!

Aaron

Cool, sounds like a plan! Thanks!
 

0soyoung

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I would only prune off the vertical stem and otherwise use a Dremmel roto-chisel or textured carbide bit to 'whittle it down to your red line. However, I think I would cut it down like this

CrabChop.JPG

because I think this will result in more buds right near the cut - possibly quicker healing, but more shoots from which to build the canopy. Likely I am spewing nonsense.

As to when, my answer is spring and maybe a touch up in mid- to late May.
 

Grant Hamby

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I would only prune off the vertical stem and otherwise use a Dremmel roto-chisel or textured carbide bit to 'whittle it down to your red line. However, I think I would cut it down like this

View attachment 121306

because I think this will result in more buds right near the cut - possibly quicker healing, but more shoots from which to build the canopy. Likely I am spewing nonsense.

As to when, my answer is spring and maybe a touch up in mid- to late May.

Ooh, I like that. I was slightly concerned that the trunk would be a little boring, but chopping at your mark would solve that.
 

Grant Hamby

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Here are my current favorite pots for this tree (if the root system looks good enough in the spring)

This one would allow that longer branch to extend way out past the rim, which can be cool. It would also go well with the yellow fall color.
IMG_3108.JPG

This one is slightly wider than what I originally had in mind, but I think the color would be amazing with the orange berries.
IMG_3109.JPG
 

Stan Kengai

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Apples scar horribly if chopped while growing vigorously. I prefer to make large chops at the end of summer/beginning of fall. For me, that's early September. This allows the cut to get a start on healing before going dormant, but does not induce the enormous swelling seen when cut during vigorous growth.

FWIW, I like Osoyoung's suggestion. I would possibly tilt the trunk to the right, making the first right branch parallel to the soil..
 

Grant Hamby

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Apples scar horribly if chopped while growing vigorously. I prefer to make large chops at the end of summer/beginning of fall. For me, that's early September. This allows the cut to get a start on healing before going dormant, but does not induce the enormous swelling seen when cut during vigorous growth.

FWIW, I like Osoyoung's suggestion. I would possibly tilt the trunk to the right, making the first right branch parallel to the soil..

I suppose late fall is not a good time, haha.

I like your suggestion! I've also considered tilting more to the left for a semi-cascade, but I'll have a better idea when I get to look at the roots.
 

Grant Hamby

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I like your idea for the future but you're not going to put it into that pot come spring...
Right?

No, that's not the plan. I have no idea what the root system looks like because I just stuffed the whole wad of sphagnum and roots in the pot after I separated, so I'm sure it's gonna be a pain to straighten out for a while.
 

Grant Hamby

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It wasn't quite ready to be tilted very far, the roots were in such a tight little ball from being airlayered. Hopefully spending some time in good soil will help. But I'm really enjoying this little guy in the meantime. I've been considering taking a small bite or two with the knob cutters to add character to the trunk since they callous so aggressively. Might just wait and see how it does this season before I do that.

IMG_3937.JPG
 

Stan Kengai

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It's fruiting that takes energy from the tree. Flowers aren't a problem. Just be sure to deadhead.
 

LanceMac10

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Anything I have that fruits, I let it. Have not seen any adverse effects. Just be sure to fertilize thoroughly thru the year.


However, yours will be a little light on foliage for awhile, so best to probably remove spent flowers.

Leaf coloring looks similar to mine. Stay on top of bugs, fungus, disease....basically everything.....crabapples are like me with a fistful of dollars, attracting lottsa' riff-raff!!!
In flower.....
DSC01116.JPG
 
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