Hi Pete. If you got them that small, it wouldn't hurt to leave them alone
and not prune them until they are dormant. I have found that even though
the weather says it is cold enough to prune, trees bought from a grower have
already put on leaves or at least buds. That being the case, After planting
them I would leave them alone till next winter.

Apple trees need to be pruned into a shape that resembles a Christmas tree.
Cut off any dead wood, water spouts (branches that grow straight up),
branches that grow toward the center, suckers coming up from the ground
around the trunk, and branches, that if left alone, will rub against another
branch.

Look at the tree before pruning and imagine what you want it to look like in
5 to 10 years, and cut to make it grow that way. Make it grow the direction
you want by making a 45 degree angle on your cuts, just above a bud that is
on the side of the branch pointed the direction you want it to grow.

Dwayne




"Pete" wrote in message
...
I recently purchased 6 apple trees, Stella, Jonagold, Gravenstein,
Fuji, Priscilla and Elstar, Each about 6ft in height, but i am not to
sure on pruning them for best shape and fruit bearing, or does it
matter?

West Coast Caada gardener

Pete W

Cobble Hill
Vancouver Island