Suitable for: apples and pears.
Aims: to establish the basic structure of the tree making it easy to maintain. To remove dead, diseased or damaged wood to keep the tree healthy. To allow sunlight to reach the ripening fruits.
When: November to early March.
Difficulty: easy.
Tools: sharp secateurs, loppers (extendable if possible), folding pruning saw, ladder (consider a specialist tripod pruning ladder).