We’ve been using paint dots for 25 years or so now, so some trees have several paint dots on them.” Pruning and treatment dots also give a heads-up to property owners near the trees.

Gardeners who have such a tree are often at a loss as to how to get it back in shape. Ward Upham, Horticulture Specialist with Kansas State University, provides these recommendations for pruning your ...

Q: My dad helped me plant a couple of young apple trees in my backyard last weekend and so far, so good. After we finished I said the only thing I had left to do was paint the trunks white.

When pruning an apple tree, make sure you have the right tools—like hand pruners, a hand saw, and a step ladder. Then follow these tips from experts to properly prune your tree.

Any warmish dry day now would be OK to paint. Young apricot trees should be pruned so they have a vase shape with an open center. This is so each fruit can get plenty of sunlight.

Full size apple trees commonly take 6 to 10 years before bearing fruit. And for those of us fearful of heights, dwarf apples lets tree care take place with feet planted on, or near, terra firma.