Pruning Question

[greyphase]

Most of the trees in my Home Orchard are on G202 rootstock and planted in the fall of 2014. Most are 5 to 7 feet tall now. They should grow into M7 sized trees (12-15 ft) Even though the orchard is beside the house deer visit it regularly so I want to grow them as tall as I can. My plan is to leave the central leader alone and cut off all limbs below 4 1/2 to 5 feet. Will this plan get me the tallest trees possible from this rootstock? Anything wrong with this plan. Comments, suggestions, opinions welcomed.

 

[buckvelvet]

The only thing I've read/heard that stunts the overall 'height' of a tree is heading it back, so just don't do that to whatever central leader you pick and you'll be fine. I mean keeping stuff off the menu at browse height and a semi-full/full size tree is certainly ok from what I know.

 

[aerospacefarmer]

First fruit comes on the lowest branches and just let the deer prune it naturally if you are going to cut it off anyway. You will get some fruit sooner even with the deer pruning them