Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I have found that the common recommendations for training fruit trees are slow, clunky and burdened with misconceptions. My experiments toward better, faster, smarter methods have shown outstanding results. Using these simple methods we can usually get exactly the tree forms that we want much faster than the old clip and pray methods recommended and followed for hundreds of years, but challenged and tested by few.
By avoiding cutting back new trees and using simple interventions like notching and disbudding, growth can be guided very specifically down to choosing which buds are to be the main scaffold branches and where lateral fruiting wood comes off of main scaffolds. For more detailed, specific information, watch the following videos.
Tree Forms Explained: youtube.com/watch?v=88J282bLK48&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Smarter Fruit Tree Training: youtube.com/watch?v=KAHNbjoTWyc&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Follow Up on Pear Tree Training: youtube.com/watch?v=lEs6sfOISvQ&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
The 1920's apple framework study: skillcult.com/freestuff
Support on Patreon, patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Donations can also be sent via PayPal @: paypal.com/paypalme/SkillCult
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
I have found that the common recommendations for training fruit trees are slow, clunky and burdened with misconceptions. My experiments toward better, faster, smarter methods have shown outstanding results. Using these simple methods we can usually get exactly the tree forms that we want much faster than the old clip and pray methods recommended and followed for hundreds of years, but challenged and tested by few.
By avoiding cutting back new trees and using simple interventions like notching and disbudding, growth can be guided very specifically down to choosing which buds are to be the main scaffold branches and where lateral fruiting wood comes off of main scaffolds. For more detailed, specific information, watch the following videos.
Tree Forms Explained: youtube.com/watch?v=88J282bLK48&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Smarter Fruit Tree Training: youtube.com/watch?v=KAHNbjoTWyc&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Follow Up on Pear Tree Training: youtube.com/watch?v=lEs6sfOISvQ&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
The 1920's apple framework study: skillcult.com/freestuff
Support on Patreon, patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Donations can also be sent via PayPal @: paypal.com/paypalme/SkillCult
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
