jayco:

Your plan sounds spot on to me. I think you can graduate from utter novice.

Branches only need to be tied during first few weeks of growth so there shouldn't be a problem if you don't have to open up your fence to weed. You might want to purchase some spreaders. I like Treform from http://www.peachridge.com/

Tying is fine if you don't create a bow shape.

Thanks. I feel dumb asking, but what do you mean, "if you don't create a bow shape"? Do you mean the branch ought not to be tied so as to create an upward arc, i.e. that it should sit straight?

Are spreaders better or just easier? I was planning to tie partly because I have the things I need to tie here, now.

You can have a fairly narrow crotch where you bow the branch after the crotch to spread it when you tie with string, creating the spread by curving the branch or bowing it.

You can do it correctly or incorrectly with string- just tie it close enough to the trunk to spread the crotch angle itself. Spreaders will usually do this automatically. However, when a branch gets long and keeps heading straight up even after spreading (as does N. Spy), tying may become your only option without using 4' spreaders. This won't be a problem with G. Rush.

OK, thanks very much. Hopefully what I've read will have some correlation to the actual experience of doing!