As with many posts, a picture would really help us know exactly what you are dealing with. But...

You should never use stub-cuts when you pruning a tree. Generally branches should be completely removed by cutting back to just outside the branch bark ridge and branch collar of the branch. In some cases, drop-crotch cuts can be made to reduce the length of a limb.

A tree can be limbed up for better clearance or directionally pruned to avoid your sidewalk or house. But, it sounds like you may need to consider removing the tree. If the wrong size tree is planted in the wrong spot, sometimes you're just better off starting over than constantly fighting the nature of the tree.

Hi Brandon, thanks for the reply. I'm not too up on the language so when you say stub cut, you mean cutting off the ends ? Drop crotch cuts I can't even guess at. Limbed up would mean removing the lower brances completely to make the trunk look longer and the canopy of the tree would be higher? I will take pictures and post. I am afraid that the tree is planted in a bad spot but I do so enjoy the blossoms in the spring. Thanks.

You've pretty much gotten the stub cut definition. Basically, it's where you chop the limb off somewhere in the middle and leave a stub.

A drop-crotch cut is another name for a reduction cut. A good example and further info can be found at the link below.

You got the limbed up definition exactly correct, but it is possible to limb a tree up on one side (like over your walkway) and not necessarily limb up the entire tree.

Here is a link that might be useful: See Page 2

Finally able to post a photo of the crabapple tree. Your opinion on how to prune is appreciated. It's a beautiful tree that has essentially gotten a little overgrown for the space it's in. Can I make it work?

{{gwi:437710}}

bumping this up

I really like your steps and wall. What a shame the crabapple wasn't planted further out.

In my opinion, it's going to be hard to really make this tree look good (somewhat natural) and still provide room for easy sidewalk access. It's hard for me to judge how much clearance there is, now, over the walk, but I can tell the tree is growing too close for comfortable passage. Even if there's barely enough room for clearance, people will feel uncomfortable going under/next to the tree without quite a bit more clearance. Major limb removal doesn't really look like a good option in this case. I'd use proper cuts (thinning and reduction) to enlarge the passageway until there's plenty of clearance for the sidewalk. Then, I'd step back from the tree and see what it looked like. It's likely that further pruning around the tree will be required to balance the tree out to some degree. There's no reason to make the tree look symmetric, but it shouldn't be any more noticeably lopsided than it has to be.

Aside from ensuring the use of proper cuts for your tree's health, most of this job boils down to being artistic. You'll have to do what looks right to you. Annual pruning maintenance is almost a given, and some compromise in form looks like your only option.