Remove the cluster of terminal buds at planting to avoid development of multiple terminals. This also encourages lateral bud beak, essential in preventing sunburn on the trunk. On extremely vigorous trees select scaffold branches the first and second summers. Pruning a young apple tree with lateral branches at time of planting. Remove other branches.
Spreaders are effective in forming wide-angle crotches in young apple trees.
Cut off the nail head and sharpen. Pull the limb downward just enough to make the spreader fit tightly. The sharpened nails are inserted into the bark but cause no permanent injury. The spreaders can usually be removed after two years, and the limbs remain in the wide-angle position. Leaves manufacture food and protect the trunk against sunburn.