Prune the Fruit Tree When Planting to Keep the Fruit Available
If you want to add fruit trees to your yard, make a “cut” when planting to keep the trees small. This prevents them from growing too tall for you to reach.
At a lower elevation, you can harvest and prune the tree without a ladder. As Ann Ralph mentions in an interview with Sunset, you should make this cut within the first year – ideally when you plant the tree. It may seem like you’re cutting it down to zero, but that’s what you want – so when it grows, the fruit hangs low enough to be reached. She also notes that this method is best for deciduous fruit trees such as apple trees. For more information on how to properly use this technique, check out the full post below.