crabapple

The crabapple (Malus 'Amerspirzam' AMERICAN SPIRIT) requires regular watering. Water deeply and thoroughly as needed, depending on your soil type, in the early morning or late afternoon. For best growth it should receive an inch or 2 of water weekly in the absence of rainfall. However, during the hot summer months it is recommended to water more frequently to encourage healthy growth. It should be watered more sparingly during the winter, when rain is often the better alternative. Additionally, mulching the tree will help to retain moisture during the growing season.

The crabapple plant species, Malus 'Amerspirzam' AMERICAN SPIRIT, requires full sun exposure to either morning or afternoon light for 6 to 8 hours a day throughout the growing season to remain healthy and achieve optimal fruit production. Furthermore, it is recommended that the light intensity is equal on both sides of the tree, and not just restricted to 1 side. Planting a crabapple tree in a sunny area helps ensure that it is able to get the light it needs to thrive.

The best time to prune a crabapple (Malus 'Amerspirzam' AMERICAN SPIRIT) is during late winter or early spring when the plant is still dormant. Late winter pruning will ensure good energy for the new growth this spring. If a more formal shape is desired, then light pruning should be done in early summer after flowering. When pruning, aim to remove any dying or dead branches, branches that rub against each other, and any crossing branches. Cut off any branches that appear weak, or that are growing too close to the main trunk. Prune to thin out thin parts of the tree to allow better airflow, and remove some of the height. Make sure pruning cuts are clean and at 45-degree angles. For a larger old tree, it is best to use light pruning, removing no more than ⅓ of the total growth at any 1 time.