all the answers you need

http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/general-pruning.shtml

http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/links.shtml#care

Ten Basics of When and How to Prune Fruit Trees

1.. Prune fruit trees when the leaves are off (dormant). It's easier to
see what you are doing and removal of dormant buds (growing points)
invigorates the remaining buds. Summer pruning removes leaves (food
manufacture), will slow fruit ripening, and exposes fruit to sunburn. Summer
pruning can be beneficial, however, when used to slow down overly vigorous
trees or trees that are too large. It is usually done just after harvest.
2.. Right after planting a new tree, cut if off to short stick 24 to 30
inches high and cut any side shoots, remaining below that, to one bud. This
encourages low branching and equalizes the top and root system. Paint the
tree with white latex paint to protect it from sunburn and borer attack
3.. Young trees should be pruned fairly heavily and encouraged to grow
rapidly for the first 3 years without any fruit. Leave most of the small
horizontal branches untouched for later fruiting.
4.. When deciding which branch to cut and where to cut it, remember that
topping a vertical branch encourages vegetative growth necessary for
development of the tree and opens the tree to more sunlight. Topping
horizontal branches is done to renew fruiting wood and to thin off excessive
fruit. Horizontal branches left uncut will bear earlier and heavier crops.
5.. Upright branches generally remain vegetative and vigorous. Horizontal
branches generally are more fruitful. A good combination of the two is
necessary, for fruiting now and in future years. Remove suckers, water
sprouts and most competing branches growing straight up into the tree.
Downward bending branches eventually lose vigor and produce only a few small
fruit; cut off the part hanging down.
6.. New growth occurs right where you make the cut; that is the influence
of the cut only affects the buds within 1 to 8 inches of the cut surface not
3 to 4 feet down into the tree. The more buds cut off the more vigorous the
new shoots will be.
7.. Do most of the pruning in the top of the tree so that the lower
branches are exposed to sunlight. Sun exposed wood remains fruitful and
produces the largest fruit. Shaded branches eventually stop fruiting and
will never produce without drastic topping and renewal of the entire tree.
8.. Make clean cuts (within 1/4") of bud; don't leave stubs.
9.. Use spreaders or tie downs to get 45° angles branches of upright
vigorous growing trees.
10.. Peach and Nectarine remove 50% of last years growth. Fig, Apple,
Pear, Plum and Apricot remove about 20% of last years growth. Cherries only
summer prune the first 5 years.
Pruning Abandoned or Neglected Fruit Trees
Whether today's trees are remnants from yesterday's orchards, or simply
abandoned for other reasons, pruning may look like an impossible task. In
some cases, these trees can be rejuvenated and made functional in the home
orchard or landscape. In others, planting a new tree may be more practical.

"Wil Schultz" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I have a lemon tree that really could use some trimming back. I've scoured
the interweb and cannot seem to find out how I should go about this, I
hear that if not pruned properly that I may not see any fruit for a couple
of years.

The tree is about 15' high.

Thanks in advance!