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Example 1

Before pruning

tree before pruning

There are eight or more stems all growing at about the same rate (arrows point to four). Most need to be shortened except for the one that will make the best leader. There is a large stem on the lower left side of the canopy that was missed the last time the tree was pruned. It is large enough that it needs to be removed.

After pruning

tree after pruning

The large stem about four feet from the ground was removed completely because it was very large. Other branches were shortened on the left and some reduction cuts were made on the right. There is one leader to the top of the tree. A tree let go this long without appropriate pruning will take several prunings and some time to make it look decent.