What are some cool tricks in apple thinning?

Question

Like, how can we do some really effective apple thinning?

Answer 1

It seems that now days apples are thinned chemically. Personally I don't find that so "cool", but that seems to be the way. Other ways are picking the apples when small, shaking the tree or branches, or letting the tree thin itself by dropping many of the overpopulated apples. I have a tree that does this very well. It always worried me until I realized that it was for the good of the tree and resulted in better apples.
http://orchard.uvm.edu/uvmapple/newsletter/1998/vtapple050198.htm#AppleThinning

Answer 2

My dad used to do that while in college. He told me a few things but it has been so long (30+ years) since he told me it's hard to remember. I do remember that you have to leave the stem on the tree (pick only 'apple' for thinning), and there was some special technique to it. It is something that can be learned easily.

I'll call him tonight and see if he remembers any tricks -- then I'll edit this answer.

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