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Pruning and Training in Young Trees
During the first year or two of a tree's existence in an orchard, most time is spent on training the tree to develop a strong framework. The next period can be considered the "formative years"--when growth is directed and early intervention is performed to ensure that a proper structure develops. Intervention most frequently takes the form of limited pruning and training.
Scaffold selection occurs during the first one to two years. In most training systems the first scaffold should not be any lower than 18 to 20 inches above the ground. Thereafter, shoots should be selected so that they are spaced about 4 to 8 inches apart vertically and well distributed around the trunk.
The major mistake growers often make during the formative years is allowing the top of the tree to develop too soon. The result is that the tree forms a "sail" top and can be blown over, and the lower limbs do not develop sufficiently. Treetops naturally tend to develop sooner and to a greater extent because they are the most vigorous area of the tree and are exposed to the highest light levels. One rule of thumb for this area of the tree is the "one-half to two-thirds" rule. When branches on the central axis are between one-half and two-thirds the diameter of the central axis, they should be removed.
On the other hand, in some cultivars the dominance of the central leader is sometimes lost. This can result either from overcropping or from allowing too many limbs to develop from one area. It may then be necessary to rehead the leader back to invigorate it.
One exception to the rule of reduced pruning occurs with spur-type Delicious. It is not unusual for trees to fail to form sufficient numbers or quality of scaffold limbs the year of planting. In this case it is necessary to cut back the tree severely. This is accomplished by heading the central leader back to an inch or two above where you headed the tree last year. The side limbs that did grow are also cut back using what is commonly called a Dutch or bevel cut. By drastically reducing the top of the tree, you invigorate the tree and encourage greater growth. The Dutch cut is made to force new scaffolds to develop on the underside of the original shoot having a naturally wider angle. The disadvantage of this system is a delay in early bearing by one year.
Once the initial lower framework and tree structure is established, then pruning during the early bearing years is a matter of repeated intervention to ensure good sunlight exposure and to develop a series of tiers of branching structures. As you move progressively up in the tree, each tier should get shorter and weaker.