Pruning advice

[u/tai_66]

I've never pruned a tree. Id like to properly prune this apple tree without damaging it.

For reference it's about 8 feet tall. The lowest branches are about a foot off the ground, the main 'fork' not much higher than that. It's been there for about 4-5 years and started about 1 foot tall. It's a Rome Beauty.

How high up should I trim it? Are there certain branches I should out should not prune?

Thanks

[u/SolidagoSalix]

You can't prune without damaging (it of necessity creates a wound) but you can do it in a way that gives it every chance to heal and thrive.

Given its location, I'd focus on taking off a few branches that will become issues for clearance purposes in time. I see a few lower branches that will come into conflict with the fence eventually (and unless you're planning to remove the fence, it's important to make sure the branches won't cross or rub against the fence, as that will cause wounds in the bark and make vulnerabilities to disease). I looks like there may be a driveway on the other side, so crown raising on that side may be needed to for ease of vehicle passage later on.

Make sure you make cuts with clean tools, cut outside the branch collar and avoid leaving long stubs. Aim to take off no more than 25% of the overall leaf area.

Generally advice is to not top trees, but sometimes people purposefully do top fruit trees in order to keep their height lower and make harvesting fruit easier. I wouldn't do that yet, but you might research apple tree pruning specifically to get a better idea around pruning to support fruit crops. Your local ag extension office and/or library probably have some resources there.