Richard
With regards to your damsons may I suggest the Westmorland Damson
Association's web site. They have some good info. This is the link to
their information and advice page and click the links
http://www.lythdamsons.org.uk/infoandadvice.asp
With regards to your apple tree - I guess it depends what state it is
in. I guess it is a bush tree rather than a trained form like a cordon
or espalier. It is practical to rejuvinate an old tree, age isn't the
issue, it's its condition (there must be a better way of saying that,
but I can't
think of it at the mo) - if there is evidence of new growth occurring,
then you stand a good chance of success. As the tree has not been
looked after for a while then pests and diseases can be an issue,
particully once you start stiring things up by pruning. Here are a few
steps to take.

First, this kind of pruning is done when the tree is dormant and there
is no hard cold spell that could damage the exposed tissues. Secondly
if there is a lot do do, then the work should be spread over at least
two, preferably more, winters. As the tree is of an age, be careful as
to what is safe to stand on if you are climbing it. .
1. As with any pruning remove any dead, dieing or damaged branches.
Think larger banches rather than the fine growth, those that need a saw
rather than seceteurs. For the most part you will be cutting back to
healthy growth.
2. Remove branches that are growing the wrong way - they want to be
going outwards not back into the crown of the tree.
3. Next are the crossing branches, here you need to stand back and
look at the tree from several positions to descide which branch to
remove.
4. Deal with branches that are too high, too low and too spreading.
Having done all this you will start to have a framework to work with.
5. Then it is a question of overcrowding. This is the enemy -
congestion limits light and air flow.
6. To help prevent fungal infections spreading, paint over large
wounds with a fungicidal paint such as Medo, available from good garden

centres.

The best advice I can give is to take your time, follow the steps in
order. Yes you are likely to go around the tree a few / several times,

but by following the steps you avoid being too drastic and being left
with a stump.

Winter pruning encourages growth, so don't be suprised to see lots of
new growth next season. Come summer, the new growth can be thinned to
select new branches.

It will probably take three to five years to get the tree back into the
full swing of things,

If you want further advice, feel free to ask. The Northern Fruit Group
run a course on renovating old fruit trees at Harlow Carr, Harrogate.
The course is very popular and fills quickly, so book early when the
RHS publish their Harrogate prospectus (available on the RHS web site).

If you want any details, let me know and I will get it for you.


Good Luck


Clifford
Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.