The easiest approach for quickest fruit with many varieties is just to thin out oversized branches and do nothing else until tree begins to bear fruit.

For varieties that send very little secondary branches from scaffolds it is traditional to head the scaffolds back by 30% annually as needed to increase such branches- best done at least a week after green tip. I'm thinking about putting small notches in front of dormant buds where I want secondary branches instead. Commercial growers often use Promelin- a synthetic plant hormone that subdues apical dominance and encourages more branching in a trees interior.

Where the second tier begins depends on the rootstock and inherent vigor of variety- less vigorous varieties should be closer and may even need more branches (4 on first tier) per tier. With trees on 7 to 111, 3 feet is about where I start my second tier so I wouldn't head the leader below that. Ideally the tree will produce enough branches that you don't have to head the tree until it reaches max height. Try notching to put those branches where you want them instead of heading.

Scaffolds on second tier ideally disect (come in the middle) of territory of first tier scaffolds in terms of directional positioning. That means if a 4 tier structure points NES and west the tier above would be something like NE, SE, NW, SW.

Some varieties, like Fuji, that are very brushy may benefit from early thinning of surplus scaffolds instead of waiting until tree begins to bear fruit. These varieties excessively shade themselves which can delay flower formation.

Thanks. That is pretty helpful. I'm all over it. I didn't realize you could induce the branching or fruiting effect by over or under notching. Is it too late for this? I would like to try this. I found some explanation of this technique at the links below. I'm still dormant but I don't know about 6 or 7 weeks. It's beginning to warm up.

It doesn't take much to fascinate this Noobie. Just about everyday I learn something new here on this forum.

http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/article/34/

http://www.weekendgardener.net/tree-information/notching-buds-120912.htm

I USUALLY search first. This has been discussed before. Thanks again.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fruit/msg041437129374.html

A very cool UMass Fruit Advisor video on Central Leader pruning for apples can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx7ndnTeUME complete with music.