Trellising is a means of supporting dwarf and intensive farm trees to increase their bearing surface and hence their production. The trellis consists of a series of wires supported by posts. Limbs and branches are positioned on this wire fence to encourage fruit production.

The practice of fruit thinning apples, pears, and stone fruits is much discussed but little understood. Thinning is done for two reasons. First, a certain portion of the fruit is removed so that the remainder will develop adequate size and quality, and, second, the thinning process serves to increase the plant's ability to form flower buds for the next year - provided the thinning is done early enough.

Young trees are pruned to train them to become structurally sound, to make them easy to care for and to ensure the production of high quality fruit. Pruning will: - Control size for easier care in maintaining and picking fruit - Increase strength – develop strong limb structure - Distribute sunlight evenly throughout tree - Regulate fruit bearing – removes excess fruitwood - Renew fruitwood – to continue strong buds and flowers - Remove undesirable wood – dead, broken, and crossing branches.

A pest is any organism that compromises the production and/or quality of the crop being grown. Organisms that harm fruit crops by directly injuring either the fruit or the leaves. Pests might not seem to cause appreciable damage to plants, but they might weaken the plant and reduce its ability to survive. Pests generally are classified as either insects, diseases, weeds, nematodes, or vertebrates (rodents or deer) etc. The modern approach to managing pests is referred to as integrated pest management (IPM). IPM involves compiling detailed, timely information about a crop and its pests (insects, weeds, and diseases) to ensure that pest-management decisions are economically, environmentally, and socially sound. In addition, IPM advocates integrating as many suitable pest-management tactics as possible, including biological control--using one organism to control another by predation, parasitism, or competition; cultural control; horticultural practices; specialized pruning; orchard sanitation; planting scab-resistant varieties; insect behavior modification such as mating disruption; and the judicious use of pesticides. Successful IPM requires knowledge about pests and the vulnerable stages of the crop.

Grafting is the insertion of a dormant short stick (scion) of a desired plant into a compatible rootstock, tree or shrub. Why Graft? - Grafting allows multiple varieties on one plant: Can grow mix of early to late fruit; Achieve cross pollination; Foil frost with different bloom times; Preserve antique or local varieties - Grafting allows use of specialized roots for: Size control with dwarfing rootstocks; Earlier fruit on dwarfing roots; Matching root to soil type for healthier tree; Pest resistance from some rootstocks