I Have Three Questions. First, I Have Sugar Maple Trees…
Lynda Asked
I have three questions. First, I have sugar maple trees that have saplings growing up from the ground next to them and I wondered when and how to cut them. Second, I have a crabapple tree that isn’t growing up, its branches just keeping getting longer; is there anything I can or should do for it? Last, I have Bradford pear trees that need the bottom branches pruned and I wondered when and how to do that.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Lynda: The suckers coming up from your sugar maples can and should be pruned back as soon as you notice them. It is undergrowth coming up from the root system and there is no reason to let them grow. It can make your trees look unruly but are not a serious cause for concern. Take your pruners and cut back to the base of each sucker. This will probably continue to happen but very easy in terms of maintenance. As for your crabapple, do you know which one you are growing? There are certain varieties of these ornamental trees that have more of an umbrella shape growth habit. Sargent crabapple (Malus sargentii) for example is grown for its horizontal growth. It can spread 15 feet but only reach 8 feet tall at maturity. Specific plants have their own growth habits and we cannot manipulate the way they want to grow without stressing them out. Pruning your pear should be done in the winter while the tree is dormant. It is easier to see the structure of the tree without the foliage. Winter/early spring pruning is valid for your Bradford pear trees as well. These trees serve an ornamental purpose but the main concern is their structure. These fast-growing trees have a branching habit that makes them very susceptible to splitting during wind/ice storms. Pruning out some of the inferior limbs, making the crown less dense, might help the longevity of your trees. Visit www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ho/ho45/ho45.pdf
for more detailed information on pruning landscape trees in Kentucky.
