How to Trim This Apple Tree?

[Freudianfloyd]

So this tree is old, it produces alot of apples, but they are not the best quality.



The tree is probably 40 feet tall and way over grown. Can any of you pros tell me the best way to trim this tree?

I have heard to cut off the small sapling type branches all over it, is this true?

What about the big branches? Should I cut it off at the top to shorten the tree?

I'd like to keep it alive as we love the idea of apples, but I would give up quantity of apples for quality apples.

 

[diezelsmoke]

Don't trim it, you will do more harm than good, get yourself some new trees and start grafting the old to new. Get this tool and it makes a professional out of anybody. https://www.walmart.com/ip/AGPtek-Black-Professional-nursery-grafting-tool-pruner-2-extra-blades-free-grafting-tape/892948798?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222222137752292&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=75041736794433&wl4=pla-4578641307358888&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=& wl10=Walmart&wl12=892948798_0&wl14=grafting tools&veh=sem&msclkid=836d4bf3437715ab2cdd162f4cc9c475

YouTube has videos on grafting, very easy to do and great way to save the Heritage breeds.

 

[hitoppa]

Cut it back lightly after dormant and cut it back a little more each year. It may need a support pro installed but you could put a rope around it to make a posy of it so it doesn't fall apart temporarily. Give it a fruit disease and insect treatment as labelled in a hort. or garden store. Timing and dose is important. Then quality of fruit will improve which has nothing to do with the pruning.