Hello,

I planted two apple whips that I intend to train as tiered cordons. I tended to the apple trees at my parents house when I was growing up, but these are the first apple trees I've planted myself.

I cut the whips back to just above a bud at the height of the first tier, and a few months later I have lots of good branch and leaf growth. On both whips, I've ended up with four buds turning into branches, when I only need three. I'm also getting some small leaves emerging from buds lower down the "trunk". Should I prune off those extra leaves and branches this summer? Or should I wait next winter?

I am in Chicago, if that makes any difference.

Thanks for your help!