All,
Being new to growing apple trees I have been using the central leader to start my young 1-3 year old whips/trees. I recently began watching Skillcults videos on apple tree training and pruning. I’m interested in using the MCL technique. I had pruned my trees pack to strengthen room and trunk/limbs. He states in his videos he’s not concerned with long „whisky“ young growth. He also discusses using thinning buds and notching to choose where potential scaffolding limbs will grow. I’ve been letting my trees grow, then in winter pruning back to a bud aiming in the direction I want my lim to grow. He has a lot of valid points regarding getting the trees up to size fast without such heavy pruning. Any of you have experience with central leader and modified central leader. What are your thoughts? I grow most of my trees on Bud118 rootstock and I want good sized trees, but I also don’t need a 30‘+ tall tree. Thanks!