Breacher, you have quite the job there. Pruning fruit trees is hard work and pruning fruit trees that have not been taken care and kept up with is a dauntless task.

Throw in a homeowner brush chipper and your ass can be classified as officially kicked. On one hand, I wish I was there to lend a hand. On the other, Im glad Im not.

You got it right on the pruning method as well. Fruit trees that produce fruit are not pruned for aesthetics.