In article , Sacha
writes

In a previous garden I had what I was told was a 100 year old James Grieve.
And then I was told that whatever you do to an old apple tree, you do it
slowly, a little at a time. So year by year, take out any obviously dead
branches; then take out any obviously weak branches; then take out
branches which cross and rub one against the other. Aim for an open shape
in term of circulation of light and air. Most/many plants respond to light
and circulation of air. But vigorous hacking might be too much to take so
little by little is the best way forward.


Except that, Sacha, this tree looks as if it has been pruned in the
past. I would have gone for pruning the long obviously weaker growths
back to two buds from the main stem. However I'm no expert, it's just
what my gut instinct would tell me to do.
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk