Our Prairiefire Crabapple tree was girdled by rabbits last winter(2023) where its red bark was chewed off 360 degrees around and 2 ft. along the trunk starting at the snow line (which was about 1.5 ft. off the ground). Last spring(2023) the tree flowered and leafed out, but struggled with small leaves. After this winter (2024), the tree luckily is blooming again! However, the tree bloomed later with much smaller leaves than the other Prairiefire Crabapple trees in the neighborhood with the same Northern exposure. A closeup photo shows how there may be new bark growing. So we're hopeful the rabbits chewed just the outer, thin red bark, and did not chew through the spongy part that circulates nutrients! Our questions are: 1. What can we add to help this tree get stronger? Fertilizer spikes or granules? Light application or follow the regular instructions on the fertilizer package? 2. When to apply fertilizer - Right now or after blooming ends and leave formation starts? 3. Any recommended fertilizer with specific chemical compounds to look for? Thank you so much for your advice as a Google search took us down too many conflicting pathways!