According to my research and practical application, summer pruning is mainly done during the first two to three years of a trees lifecycle. This major pruning is during the time the trees usually are not of fruit bearing age anyway.

By summer pruning, you are able establish a tree height that is manageable and to your liking. I currently have 26 trees planted four-to-a-hole that I am using this technique on. The first two years, summer pruning takes new growth back by 1/2. Depending on growth, I do this end of May and again in August. The winter pruning adjusts any additional vertical growth that occured since the last summer pruning plus allows corrective pruning to shape the tree to a open vase shape and remove any damaged limbs.

I just completed my winter pruning this week and sprayed dormant spray. I will do no more pruining until summer when the trees may need vertical adjustment on their growth.

Comparing home gardening techniques to commercial farmers methods is not quite the same. Farmers depend on the largest, most productive trees to come into harvest as soon as possible with maximum amounts of fruit. As a home grower, my concern is size management of my trees and quantities of fruit that would not be commercially feasable.

Anyone interested in this method of tree size control can find more information at the Dave Wilson website under their Backyard Orchard section.

Elaine

Here is a link that might be useful: summer pruning

Please note that on my post I was discussing established fruit trees. The former post I was referring to made no mention of his summer pruning regimen being restricted to establishing trees but I think that may have been an unintended ommission.

I read about the four tree plan a few years back in a Fowler catalogue. As a nurseryman I thought it was kindof a genius marketing plan at the time altough the theory is sound. It does require a whole lot of extra structural wood however.

It would be much more efficient to use one tree and graft on several varieties but I wouldn't expect a nursery to suggest that, especially one linked to Zeiger who are probably the most market savey operators engaged in the nursery business. Anywhere. Ever.