Afternoon. We have family that have purchased a property that has a number of fruit trees (mainly apple). They have been left for a few years. Keen to prune and start caring for them again. Wondering if anyone can give some advise about where to start. We have read about not taking too much off (less than 25%) but unsure after that. Any advise would be appreciated - thank you
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Here’s a thread that might be a starting place for you. And be sure to use the search function,
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First welcome to the forum.
If the trees haven’t been cared for a number of years. I think the first year pruning off dead branches and branches that cross each other is a good place to start. There are guides to restoring abandoned trees which go into great detail on how to carry out the pruning but I haven’t done this myself. We have guys on the forum that are experts at doing this and I am sure they will respond to your post. The maximum you want to take off the first year is 33% with apples.
Also it depends on the tree size- full size and semi-dwarf trees will tolerate more aggressive pruning … dwarfs not so much. Also knowing what state you are located in would help us help you. In addition, pictures of the orchard area would help us provide you with accurate advice.
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Here are a couple of guides to restoring old neglected apple trees.
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Thank you for the welcome and also the advice. I have attached 4 pictures of what we are dealing with currently.
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Sorry, it will only let me post one picture!
As a new forum member I think you are limited to only one picture per post. You should be able to post multiple posts with a picture in each post.
Greetings and welcome. It is decent looking tree. But needs to be opened up for better circulation. Perhap pick a few limbs to weigh down. And trim away limbs so you get easy pick access.
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Thank you for the reply.
When you say opened up, is that more taking from the centre of the tree so it has room to breath. Also do you try and get rid of branches that are directing themselves to the centre of the tree (crossing over) too?
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Many thanks for these guides, found them really helpful.
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Yes to both. For now it really is that simple. Another thing you can do while you’re getting started is to set a maximum height for your tree -say, 8 to 12 feet-
and cut off everything above that. A good way to do that is to select a branch that reaches say, 15 feet. Somewhere along that branch is another branch that forks off of it and which is closer to your desired length. Cut the long branch back to that crotch or fork. `Repeat throughout the tree. In other words, drop the tree back to a lower crotch - a drop crotch cut.
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Brilliant, thank you 
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Sorry for the late reply. But Marknmt hit it right on the head. One of the fun things of fruit trees is growing them how you like. Of course you got what someone else started. But I think with a bit of pruning you will get a beautiful classic form tree.
Sometimes things just hit you. Today I decided to work with my better whips on P.2. Should be dwarf trees that fruit quickly. I picked four of my classics, Shockley, Disharoon, Yates and Wickson. And they are going in my empty potato pots.{40-50gallon}, I figure I will baby those for the front of the orchard.