posted 11 years ago
I would be thinning those stems to one or two - you basically want to keep the strongest, most vertical, leaders to form your new trunk. Given that you know you have critters in the area I'd also invest in a sturdy tree guard - we have used spiral wrap ones to good effect to protect trees from sheep grazing.
Moderator, Treatment Free Beekeepers group on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/treatmentfreebeekeepers/