Crab Apple Trees Pruning. The crab apple is one of those rare, catch-all trees that tick not one but all the boxes on the gardener's checklist. This can be a multiyear process if the tree is a real mess.
However, it is not as difficult to rejuvinate as it looks. - I have a mature ornamental crab apple tree that became bent at the top and an area that stopped putting… You can do some aesthetic pruning to help it reshape itself, but this will mostly consist of pruning off anything that grows outside the shape you envision for it.
If you only have room in your yard for one tree, there may be crab apples in your neighborhood.
An occasional touch up, however, can encourage healthy new growth and help maintain an attractive silhouette. Apple trees are trained to a modified leader system. Start by removing any damaged or decaying branches that could potentially invite disease.