Broken Honey Crisp branches - Ask Extension
I have a 19 y/o Honey Crisp. I didn't thin the spring apples enough and now I have two broken branches. The leaves are still green and the apples seem...
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Broken Honey Crisp branches #919997
Asked October 15, 2025, 1:26 PM EDT
I have a 19 y/o Honey Crisp. I didn't thin the spring apples enough and now I have two broken branches. The leaves are still green and the apples seem to be okay. Should I cut those branches off? If so, when?
Morrison County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Please send me a picture of the entire tree (showing the breaks) and a close up of each break. If you don't, I would at least be inclined to remove the apples on the broken branches to take the weight off. The branches are already not viable the issue is to minimize the risk that the tree becomes being infected either by the pruning or by having the unstable branch tear a hole into the center of the tree or strip bark.
Please send me a picture of the entire tree (showing the breaks) and a close up of each break. If you don't, I would at least be inclined to remove the apples on the broken branches to take the weight off. The branches are already not viable the issue is to minimize the risk that the tree becomes being infected either by the pruning or by having the unstable branch tear a hole into the center of the tree or strip bark.