Thanks for your question.  It has been assigned to me.  However I want to clarify something.  In your question you stated ".....I had her wrapped in burlap over winter".  You also stated that this tree was planted last fall.  I am having difficulty in reconciling these statements.  When you planted the tree last fall, was it also wrapped in burlap?  You seem to be implying this.

I'll look forward to your clarification.  Many thanks.

Thanks for your response.  Does the tree still have burlap covering its roots in the ground?  The white collar around the tree is a great idea. 

Thanks for the clarification.  I now understand you to say that you removed the burlap from around the roots before planting the tree.  After planting, you then draped the burlap around and over the tree to ward off any marauding deer.  The addition of the white collar afforded additional protection from deer and rabbits.  If all of this is correct, I am now in a position to fashion an answer regarding pruning.  Expect this very shortly.  Thanks for your patience.

Sorry about my delay with respect to Coraline.  I hope to get something to you later this afternoon.  My apologies.  

Thanks again for your patience.

I’m going to comment upon two things: pruning and the way you have staked Coraline.

Pruning: Focus upon the first picture (#20269227) you sent me.

1). In thinking about your pruning adventure, don’t worry or be concerned about a lack of fruit for the next few years. For now, your primary purpose will be to develop a tree with a strong central leader and well-spaced side branches coming from this leader. These side branches are also called scaffold branches. You are already off to a good start since Coraline has a good leader developing.

2). As you pointed out in your question, the right side of the tree has rather sparse structure. You will want to do minimum pruning on this side. You could remove the two lowest branches on this side but that would not really be necessary.

3). With respect to the left side, the branch just above the collar could be cut back to the trunk.

4). Please look at the attached picture in my response. I used your image #20269227 and with yellow bars have indicated where pruning cuts should be made.

5). This pruning should be done NOW (early March 2026). Then do no further pruning in 2026. Get back to us in March 2027 with pictures. We would be glad to assess how things are going and make further pruning suggestions.

See the following for information on these and related points:

https://extension.umn.edu/growing-apples/pruning-and-training-apple-trees - :~:text=Fruit trees should be pruned,to sunlight and air circulation.

https://sfpublicworks.org/sites/default/files/Pruning and Young Tree Care.pdf - :~:text=Scaffold branches are the permanent branches of,selected based on spacing and size considerations.

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/training-and-pruning-apple-trees/

Staking: The purpose of staking Coraline was to provide her support while she was developing a good root system after her planting in 2024. At this time, the following are my suggestions with the intent that all staking will be removed no later than late summer 2027.

1). The first thing you should do right now is to loosen all the blue ties holding the tree to the stake. They appear to be too tight. This is not good for Coraline. As the trunk grows outward this spring, these tight ties may lead to bark damage. Additionally, replace the current blue ties with something called “arbor tie tape.” This should be available at any large gardening center in the Metro. Alternately, you could use old nylon stockings or pantyhose. These options should provide more flexibility from what you are currently using with the blue ties. Attach Coraline to the stake with this new tape, leaving about an inch of space between her and the stake. In using this new tie tape, try to make the distances between the ties greater from what existed with the blue ties. In your image #<personal data hidden>, I see a tie that is down into the collar. Remove this and do not replace it. It is unnecessary. What you are trying to achieve by all this is to provide Coraline support but still enable her to move and sway in the wind. This back and forth movement will promote root development.

2). In the spacing of the new ties, attach them up the tree to a point that is about 1/3 of the total height. Again, having the top 2/3’s of Coraline swing and sway will be good for her.

See the following for further information on these and related points:

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees

Good luck. Sorry about the delay. Please feel free to get back to us with any further related questions.

I'm sorry that the page with pruning cuts did not come through.  I have resent it.  Hopefully you will receive.

Thanks again for consulting us.