I have a mature full size Yellow Transparent that came with the place. Over the years it grew very droopy with long fronds hanging down the sides of the tree. I trimmed it back at the height I could reach, about 12 feet, and it responded by sending up lots of water sprouts. This tree is very biennial, maybe a 1000 apples one year and then a 100 the alternate year. The deer love it, it's on their checklist for several times a day and I guess, night.

The apples when they ripen will just disappear all at once. I've never seen this mass disappearance so it might be lots of people or many deer. One morning the tree is bare, nothing on the ground. This happens in the 3rd week of July.

I'm not the best person to give you trimming advice I protect my young trees from the deer with a five foot fence. That fence then controls what can be done with shaping the tree.....not much. I suspect tho that if you allow one controlled leader you won't have to fight a lot of water sprouts.

The photo hasn't posted. Can you try again?