How do u get rid of runners of a crabapple tree?

You have to "snap" them off at the base not cut them. If you cut them it will just cause the eye buds below the cut to start growing. This is not a cure obviously or I wouldn't have posted my question. Brand new suckers will spring up elsewhere around the roots. If you let a sucker get too big it's a real bear to try and "snap" off, so try to be diligant about catching them early- best of luck!

I agree with Hillela! We had an crabapple tree and didn't know to snap off the suckers. We just cut them now and then. We ended up with a mess! We finally ended up taking the tree down because of the sucker mess and the fact that the crabapples would fall on our driveway, get squashed, and draw bees. We had children playing in that area (driveway was extended past our garage to create a patio) so we needed it gone. Good luck to you.