Crabapple Seedling- Should I wire?

[frankp0]

I have some 1 year old crabapple seedlings that are about 10 inches tall and a bit thinner than a pencil. I pkanted them in the ground to fatten up quicker than in a pot.

Can I wire the "trunk" now to create some movement? Do crabapple bend easily and tolerate it well?

Thanks

Frank

[plantmanky]

I have some 1 year old crabapple seedlings that are about 10 inches tall and a bit thinner than a pencil. I pkanted them in the ground to fatten up quicker than in a pot.

Can I wire the "trunk" now to create some movement? Do crabapple bend easily and tolerate it well?

Thanks

Frank

Frank,

I wouldn't wire young trees in the ground just to get trunk movement. If you leave your trees in the ground and let them fatten up and then do trunk chops every sping, you should get some nice movement as well as good taper in a few years. CUt off the ground suckers that always pop when you trunk chop to force the growth into the main trunk of the tree. That's what I would do anyway

[pmarq]

I'm certainly no expert but I do have a crabapple. I agree with randy on trunk chopping to get movement and taper. As far as your question as to if they take to wiring, I've found mine to be quite tolerant to having the branches wired and they set very well (within a few of months or so). Mine has held the shape I gave the branches for a few years now and haven't tried to revert back to their origional position. Don't waait too long on the branches though as they can suddenly snap if they get too thick first...........Pat M.