Remove water sprouts as they appear. If fire blight is prevalent on apple or pear trees, sterilize pruning tools after each cut with rubbing alcohol. If in doubt about removing a limb and the limb is very largeleave it. If it's a small limb, remove it anyway. Do not treat pruning wounds with tree wound paint.
Recent research indicates that wood beneath dressed wounds rots faster than wood left undressed.
The programs of the Montana State University Extension Service are available to all people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, disability or national origin.