A Few Random Crabapple Questions

[KSQ2]

What do I need to do with these water shoots. This is the only one of 4 trees from North American Crabapple that does this. The pic doesn’t show it well, but there are probably 7 or 8 water shoots coming up around the tree. It has done this every year. Can I cut them now without hurting the tree? I believe the tree is a 30-06.

Also, this is another of the North American Crabs. This is the one I let get sun scald a couple years ago, everything above the ground died and I cut it off to start over. I’m almost certain the shoot that is really taking off this year, came off the trunk below the knuckle. Would that make it a rootstock tree? If so, I will probably graft to it this-coming spring. But how do I know if it is the droptine crab or the rootstock? Here’s a couple pics.


On a sidenote, does it look like leaf curl going on with this tree? They sprayed the crop field in the last couple days, and if he got our trees again, there’s gonna be heck to pay. I warned him repeatedly to please be careful.

 

[Native Hunter]

Question 1 - Yes, no problem with cutting them now. I’m surprised your deer haven’t eaten them.

Question 2 - if it came from below the knuckle, it is a rootstock tree. I doubt you would be able to tell any other way. Both varieties are going to look a lot alike when young like that.

Question 3 - hard to tell for sure but if the worst leaves are from the side on the spray direction it is likely.

 

[KSQ2]

Question 1 - Yes, no problem with cutting them now. I’m surprised your deer haven’t eaten them.

Question 2 - it it came from below the knuckle it is a rootstock tree. I doubt you would be able to tell any other way. Both varieties are going to look a lot alike when young like that.

Question 3 - hard to tell for sure but if the worst leaves are from the side on the spray direction it is likely.

Thanks Native, the water sprouts are inside the cage, so the deer cannot get to them. Also, what do you think of the possible leaf curl, am I being paranoid?

 

[Native Hunter]

Thanks Native, the water sprouts are inside the cage, so the deer cannot get to them. Also, what do you think of the possible leaf curl, am I being paranoid?

No, you aren’t paranoid. You should be concerned. I think you will eventually be able to tell if it is herbicide damage. Make sure it is watered good and keep an eye out the next few days.