You should be thinking about the form you wish the tree to grow. If the usual open vase of large apple trees, you should be picking the laterals by now. Suggest you look on U TUBE for many videos on this subject.

7' tall,5 year old tree in a #3 container? I would think it is time to plant in the ground or move it to a much larger container. A #3 pot is not very big and it would be difficult to keep it wet especially in hot weather. Make sure the roots are not all circling the pot when you re-plant it.

since grown from seed it will produce a standard size apple tree. I would suggest vase pruning to keep the height down to a manageable level. Some standard apple trees can grow to 25-30' tall on vigorous varieties.

I am planning on a much bigger pot, or in the ground - once I find a good spot. Are you suggesting that I trim the main leader and the tips of all the laterals?

Harry

Great story and an equally fantastic name for a good juicy apple!

Re the roots.........if they are indeed circling the inside of the pot, how should those be treated when transplanting?

Harry

Harry:

This advice goes for anything grown in a container, not just apples. When transplanting nursery stock that was container grown, always check the roots. If the rootball is very tight with circling roots following the shape of the pot, then use a knife and cut vertically down the rootball in several places. Then pry some of the roots apart with your fingers to spread them out so they do not remain in the same shape that the pot created.

If the rootball has just some circling roots but not too tightly bound, then skip cutting the rootball with a knife and just separate the edges of the rootball with your fingers. It all depends on how many and how tight any circling roots are.

I learned my lesson the hard way many years ago when I planted a plum tree that was container grown. After 2 years, it died due to mouse/vole damage one winter (trunk girdled). When I dug the plum out, I was surprised to find the roots had never left the original rootball and just kept circling around it with new growth. In this case I was ignorant of the problem and had just planted it after pulling off the plastic pot. I will not repeat that mistake.

Excellent advise from spartanapples, I would only add if you have a solid rootmass on the bottom of the container, simply cut it off, your roots will grow out horizontally mostly anyway. Al

Thanks for he advice. when I do re-plant it I will let you know how the roots looked and how well it has responded.

The buds on that tree are just starting to show a bit of swelling - is it ok to transplant it at this time of year?