- Make a Chimney – trim every spur or small branch that is within 6 inches of the main trunk
- Keep only 12 to 14 main branches. Prune the following:
- Low branches that will touch the ground (less than 40″ from ground)
- Big branches – 50% of main trunk size or larger
- In the Line – growing with the line of trees or directly toward the path
- remaining branch trimming – trim smaller branches underneath main branch – maintain branches that look like a hand, with a fan on the end of the branch
- Trim a small kerf on underside of branch before cutting to avoid peeling off bark when branch is cut off.
- avoid branches growing directly above another branch in same direction