It is important to ensure that young trees are trained, so that they develop a strong, well-balanced framework of evenly spaced branches. As this process removes dead, damaged and diseased wood and creates an open structure to allow air and light to pass freely around the branches, this will ensure that the trees remain healthy. Formative pruning may be developed further to determine a tree's shape; in this way a maiden whip may be developed into a branched head standard.

Pruning techniques will vary depending on the type of tree bought or required:

• A feathered tree has one central leader from which a number of lateral shoots develop.
• A central-leader standard has one central stem from which a number of lateral shoots develop; however the base of the stem is clear of any lateral stems.
• A branched-head standard has a clear length of stem at the base; however the central leader is removed to produce a number of vigorous lateral branches.

Pruning Method for Feathered Trees

1. To prune a young feathered tree, remove any shoots that may be competing with the central leader.
2. Cut away any congested, poorly placed or crossing shoots and then remove any spindly or weak growth. This will ensure that the tree develops an evenly spaced network of branches around the main stem.

Pruning Method for Central-Leader Standard Trees

Young feathered trees may be pruned to form a central-leader standard tree. This has one main, upright trunk, the lowest third of which is kept clear from laterals.

1. Remove all lateral shoots from the bottom third of the tree in the first spring after planting, and reduce lateral shoots in the middle section of the tree to about half their length.
2. The top third should be left unpruned, other than to remove competing leaders or weak laterals.
3. In late autumn or early winter, repeat this process, cutting back the lateral shoots on the lowest section so that they are flush with the main stem and reducing the laterals in the middle third of the tree to half their size.
4. Continue this process over the next two to three years until you have produced a tree with approximately 1.8 m (6 ft) of clear stem.

Pruning Method for Branched-Head Standard Trees

1. A branched-head standard may be produced by cutting back all lateral shoots from the bottom third of the tree in the first spring after planting, and then pruning the lateral shoots in the middle section of the tree to half their size. Like the central-leader standard, the top third should be left unpruned, other than to remove competing leaders or weak laterals.
2. In autumn, the leader should be cut back to a healthy bud or shoot, leaving four or five strong, well-placed lateral branches that will eventually form the framework of the branches. Any crossing or congested shoots should also be removed at this stage.
3. The following years, prune the tree in autumn to maintain an evenly-balanced, open framework. Remove any vertical shoots that may grow into a new leader as soon as possible.