I only know about citrus. No more than about 30% should be hacked or the fruiting cycle can be seriously disturbed. I don't know whether the same applies to apples, plums, et al.

My dad used to regularly skeletonise his fruit trees. He said it was good for them. I've never been brave enough to do it myself - sure as eggs, if I did, they'd die.

I cut mine back very hard last winter, more like 50% than 30%, there was certainly a lot less fruit for the fruit flies to enjoy, but the trees look really great now. If we get some rain I would hope for a good crop next year.I certainly wouldn't do it every year but like yours mine were getting too big to manage & it doesn't seem to have harmed them permanently.
I live near a large stone fruit producing area & they cut the trees back very hard, just to a skeleton, & I guess they know what they're doing!

Hack them back to size Spatz. Apple and plum trees can be chopped back to whatever size you want. I have a bonzi book that has a pic of an apple tree that is just a 6 inch high stump with a full size apple hanging off it. Just prune them to the shape and size you want, and they will produce fruit next year.

What about cutting into stone fruit? I never touch mine because I'm worried about gummosis, but some are getting quite large. Any advice?

Be brave Barbara & get that pruning saw out!
You can be gentle & reduce the size over a couple of years or go for the boy prune & do it in one go. If you make sure your tools are sharp & clean you shouldn't have any problems.
Opening up the canopy & making the trees a more managable size can do a lot to prevent disease.

I figure that if you need a ladder to pick your fruit then the trees are too big. I will cut all the new growth from my plums and rely on the spurs that have developed down low. A good book is the oldie by DT Kilpatrick - Pruning for the Australian Gardener. Plenty of pictures of buds and twigs so you don't cut off the wrong stuff!

Thanks for all the advice! Will start pruning shortly.

Uh..how about Almond trees? Can I cut them back heaps, too? Or do they prefer only a light prune?

Hi Spatz
Check out the link for the Fruit and Orchards forum. There are quite a few knowledgable people willing to give advice. You might want to start off with a search of "pruning" as they have just come out of winter and had some discussion on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fruit and Orchards forum

Thanks, Pepino. Useful link. Will have a good browse later.

Here are the 2 plum trees before the pruning saw got a good workout:
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And the plum trees after the pruning. I guess I cut off about 2/3 of the tree. Oooops... I guess I was having fun! *winks*

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Cripes. A woodchipper!

Good god, spatz, do you need advice?. I think you need a chainsaw. Have you seen peter Cundall doin' his stuff on the ABC?. He's as ruthless as you. Like Finbar says, there are only a couple of types which need light pruning. If you look at commercial orchards, they cut to size. All their trees are cut to grow for the harvester. doesn't do em any harm.

Good stuff Spatz!
There may not be a lot of Plum Brandy produced at your place next year, but after that I reckon the drinks will be on you!!!