'Coralcole' not very inspiring out of bloom, with some leaf disease problems in addition to the foliage being dull-looking. Am seeing spots on opening leaves of 'Lollizam' at outlets here also - scab (if that's what it is) is prevalent in my area, if a cultivar is not resistant it is liable to be a bust. The "zam" in 'Lollizam' (Lollipop is a selling name) is from Zampini of Lake County [wholesale only] Nursery, Perry, OH. They have a whole series of dwarf flowering crabapple trees. Although 'Lollizam' is all I am noticing at outlets here, maybe another one of their introductions is on the retail market back there - or will be next year.

Thanks, Ken. I apologize for the ambiguity as I am a new homeowner. I'll try to provide more helpful information. I live about 15 minutes south of Cincinnati, OH. No, we didn't have a drought last summer. The two most significant weather occurences we suffered were: remnants of Hurricane Ike last fall and a severe ice storm in January. By all outward appearances, neither episode impacted my other young trees. The crabapple did appear to get off to a successful start this spring, sprouting lots of green leaves and berries, but then suddenly took a turn for the worse. I've taken pictures, but I can't figure out how to post them within this message. Do you know how? Again, thank you for your time.

I pruned my Kouza dogwood over the course of its first 4 years (or so) to open up the interior and remove any crossing branches. This pruning created a well shaped tree, now 20 years later. Yes, remove the lower branches so it is not bushy, if you do not want bushy. Also, envision what it will look like as it matures with the branches you have and want to keep. Remember not to remove more than 20% or the branches in any given year so as not to stress the tree. There are good resources on "young tree training/pruning" which illustrate where to make pruning cuts, shaping a tree properly. Also, prune your tree for the location (such as removing branches which may grow to touch the house).

Casey, great close up of a flower I have never seen before! Vetaal, neat perspective! One of my favorite crabapple tree blossoms photos that I have taken this year.