We have an old crab apple tree. While there are some dead limbs in the
tree, a tree of similar size and age recently died and had to be taken down.

Can I prolong the trees life if I take out all of the dead wood and trim
the suckers OR would it be better to trim some of the larger branches
and let the suckers grow?

keith_nuttle We have an old crab apple tree. While there are some dead limbs in the
tree, a tree of similar size and age recently died and had to be taken down.

Can I prolong the trees life if I take out all of the dead wood and trim
the suckers OR would it be better to trim some of the larger branches
and let the suckers grow?


keith you really have nothing to lose either way because if you leave the tree the way it is more like than not it will eventually end up dying anyways.
i would trim out the dead stuff its of no use there and it will only rub across parts that are good and maybe cause damage and or disease to the good parts of the tree. as far as the suckers go i would get rid of those as well they are just sapping the good from the tree. good luck. cyaaaaa, sockiescat.