Jade,

By the looks of its crotch …I’d say you’re already down to two varieties… My guess is the most vigorous ‘leader’ (on the left) is Yellow Delicious, with no idea what’s on the right.

All those limp hanging limbs are of little consequence, they’ll likely flower and bear fruit. So other than shortening them a bit, with eventual props when/if they set apples, I’d leave them alone.

The future of that tree are its two ‘up-rights.’ I’d ask your mother how large, or high she wants the eventual tree? Then I’d spread those two ‘left limbs’ so as to stop a ‘weak crotch’ from forming. With some strong twine, bend the stronger/larger of the two toward the yard and figure out some way to either weigh it over (a gallon milk jug filled with water – fill up or pour off as needed to maintain a ‘constant’ angle during the growing season), or best (but hardest to mow/walk around), tie it off to a stake in the ground. I’d give it a pretty good lean… but not as bent over as the ‘other limb’ across from it (far right -which we’ll deal with later).

Once the larger of the two (suspected Yel. Del.) is secure, carefully (because it can easily split at that crotch) bend the second half toward the fence and attach the ‘twine’ to a temporary fastener against the fence. First, tie the twine to the limb, above a small limb - so it can’t slip down – but loose enough not to strangle the main limb. ‘Lead the twine & limb’ toward your fastener on the fence until you get the correct angle and tie it off.

Let you mother know this is a ‘one season’ necessity; next winter (when you prune again " title="Wink" /> ) you’ll remove all strings and attachments and the limbs will be set for ‘life.’

The ‘Right Fork’ appears to have two decent ‘limbs,’ but they’re bent too far over… They’ll need to be tied back up! -- Lessening their angles and matching those of the first two you bent over… Lacking ‘perspective’ (from here) … I’d attempt to tie them (loosely) to the opposite limbs, those you’d already fastened down. You’re working toward a ‘vase’ shape, with limbs heading up symmetrically from the trunk.

Once everything’s tied off – prune as you would (because it will be) the structure of the tree; clip off anything aiming straight up or down from those 4 main limbs. Also snipping to a downward aiming bud or outward facing stem at what ever height-level she wants – mainly affecting the set of larger limbs on the left…

I’d wait this season to see if any apples form on those lower limbs. If you ‘can’t wait,’ the entire tree’s a wonderful candidate for Budding (Bud grafting this August – after attending the HOS class at the Arboretum)! Or, wait till this time next year, having gathered any scion varieties you think she’d like – and have at it!

Also (everyone) remember: when dormant pruning, whip & tongue grafts are the best dormant season grafts; if you’d like a second, or twelfth variety of apple, or need to re/establish a limb in an ‘open area’ – leave them to graft to that spring (now)! --Then let the graft/s grow freely – as large and high as they can get, then tie them over (as described above) to happily spend the rest of their life producing your favorite fruit!