I may add to Konrad, that during the late spring, as the sprouts start coming back at the spot where you trim the watersprouts, you will need to keep rubbing the buds off to keep from heading down the same road.

Rather than wasting time on all vertical sprouts I usually thin out larger overlapping branches first. I see at least one larger overlapping branch in your middle picture. Stand back and visualize the tree layout to determine which larger branches need to go. You may even need to alternately remove internal trellis branches in order to open the canopy. After branches are thinned the removal of almost all of the vertical sprouts is made easier.

You may want to revisit the tree on different occasions to remove more questionable branches. Eventually you will arrive at a tree that far better than it looks now. I'm almost finished pruning my 100 tree apple orchard and every year is the same task repeated. I guess one could keep after the task yearlong but there are always other jobs.

Sorry about the delay -- been a way.

Thanks, Konrad -- makes sense. So, you want a real flush cut, versus cutting outside the branch collar (not necessarily a stub, more of a bump).

Mpieprzica -- I'll keep a close eye on it and keep them from re-growing.

Barrie -- that's quite the orchard. Noted.

I also question if the tree should be kept, or if a few smaller ones should be planted in its spot, given its a bit of prime real estate. We got the apples a little late this year, and they were not very good, so maybe this year when we get them earlier, we'll be able to decide.

I removed about 1/3-1/2 of the water sprouts, and will hold until next year for the other tree pruning.

Suppose a little bump is fine just not a stump...which end up will happen when cutting with pruning saw held close to the trunk. I switched from doing these cuts with looper before to saw to get a nice close cut. Wish I could find this video...I've learned from a guy doing this. If you leave too much of a collar, lots of branches can sprout around there, keep an eye out...I do it as close as possible but not cutting into the trunk. I know ..cutting into the collar is a no no by professionals but it works for me.

Looks like your water sprouts are about 3 years old and will have fruits...good to leave some on which slows down wood production.

I'd leave it a couple of years and then decide if you want to keep it, you might want to graft others onto, it would make the perfect Frankentree. lol

Totally agree with Frankentree. Will allow you to rapidly (2-3 yrs post graft) get to taste a ton of varities.

See also: http://skillcult.com/search?q=frankentree

too late this year to get scion wood, but I have an apple tree that could be twins with ross's. Next year, I will get 3-4 types and get started on the Frankentree project.

3-4? You have a tree that size why not go crazy? Scion is cheap, but we only have so much time. Try tons then cut back what you don't like or has too much disease issues. I've got 8 grafted to a single 6 foot tall, 5 year old tree!

I wasn't sure if that many at once would be a problem. I've got some time to figure it out, but maybe I'll go for more.

Your post stimulated me to document renovation of a couple overgrown apples near me.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4550046/m=23/pruning-overgrown-apple-trees-with-photos