permaculture

[S P SHERMAN <spsherm@msn.com>]

I would only add to Jason's comments that the need for constant "management" 
depends greatly upon species, and to some extent upon variety too.
 
Stone fruits (peaches, plum, apricot and the like) come fairly close to 
parent from seed grown trees. Same is true for some types of citrus seed 
(which can be genetically identical to the parent). Not perfectly of course 
for most cases. This was pretty much the rule of thumb a few hundred years 
ago. So if one wants to propogate non-grafted varieties, it is very doable 
within these species. Apples and pears or course do not fall into this group. 
(I've not had the pleasure of growing tropical fruits so can't say for them)
 
That is not to say that even trees from seed would not benefit from 
ocassional attention and pruning and "guidance."  I generally have found that 
when large doses of fertilizer are avoided, then the need for pruning and 
other management are similarly reduced. But then growth is too.