Crabapple Twigs Cleanly Snapped at 45 Degrees: Squirrels or Beetles?

Mystery Twig Drop on a Blooming Crabapple

A New Hampshire crabapple drops 8–10 small branches daily, cleanly cut at 30–45 degrees with parallel ridges. The owner suspects twig girdler or twig pruner beetles, but the cut angle doesn't match the typical 90-degree beetle cut.

Expert Assessment

• Twig girdler and twig pruner beetles are the only insects that cut twigs, but they leave 90-degree cuts with concentric ridges.
• Squirrels are the likely culprit—they chew or snap twigs at angles, especially in spring.
• Look for squirrel activity; apply taste repellents like Ro-pel or capsaicin if damage is severe.

Management

Collect and destroy fallen twigs to reduce beetle populations if they are present. For squirrels, repellents and habitat modification (removing bird feeders) may help.