This portion of the tree has all the cells necessary to heal wounds. Never cut into the branch collar when pruning. Although you don't want to cut into the branch collar, you should also avoid leaving a stub, from which suckers, or water sprouts, may grow. Leave these scaffolding branches for the basic framework of your tree. Fruiting buds are dark-colored, wrinkled wood that grows from scaffolding branches.
Trees begin to form fruiting buds at around three years of age.
Vegetative buds are similar in appearance to fruiting buds, but they're not so wrinkled and dark. These buds form leaves and new branches. Remove any competing branches that will cause problems for the tree. Sometimes these branches create a hollow where water can collect and encourage rot. Look for branches growing toward the inside of the tree, and remove them to improve air circulation.