North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us>]

I have a Jonathan apple on M111.  It's grown very slowly in less-than- 
full sun, but has now reached 10' and last year fruited for the first  
time.  (It's about 8 years old, and due to some neighbors removing  
trees, gets more sun than it used to.)

Ten feet is tall enough.  Much taller and I won't be able to prune or  
spray it.  In fact, I'm thinking of cutting it down to about 8'.

Any advice re pruning a genetically "larger" tree to keep it in  
check?  Should I aim for horizontal growth?  Cut it lower and just  
make it start new leaders form time to time?

Right now it's mostly horizontal branches off a central leader.

Thanks for any advice.

Ginda
eastern Mass., zone 6