There's an old apple tree in the back yard that I did a major trim job on 2 seasons back.  Now, of course, the silly thing is coming alive with sprouts.  I just got in from pruning them off.  My tactic has been to use my shears to teach the tree what directions I want it to grow in.

Is there anything  I can do to retard the problem ?  Is there anything to know that will improve this situation or make it less laybor intensive?

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An ascendant man, living in a degenerate age, MUST, by definition, live in contradistinction to his times.

Oh my! You need to be taking care of the "suckers" that are growing straight up from the tree branches. Those are what are going to "suck" the energy from your tree and prevent it from growing yummy apples. You can't quite "tell" a tree what to do. You can probably cut off branches you don't care for, but apple trees tend to be rather tame critters. You can double check with Rexius or Lane Recycling.

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If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving's not for you.