Do not trust your master gardener to understand the variables of pruning fruit trees unless that person has an orchard of their own- it is unlikely fruit trees were seriously covered in courses provided in that program and even if they were, it would be only very superficial. I have given lectures as part of courses in this program, so I know of what I speak. I assume you mean 7 feet, not inches, but can't be sure if you are talking height or width- either way you need a specific rootstock to keep a Fuji small AND fruitful. Cutting back the branches annually will keep the branches vegetative and devoid of fruit. For a Fuji on free standing rootstock (M7 or more vigorous) the most important thing is to remove any branch more than a third the diameter of the trunk at the branches point of attachment to that trunk. This is about all you can do to keep the tree reasonably compact until it begins to fruit, besides removing branches that crowd your chosen scaffolds (main branches, of which you only need 3 on about the first 6 feet of trunk). Branches should be spread or tied to about a 70 degree angle from the trunk if they don't spread on their own- this also encourages early fruiting.

Howdy Scottsmith, I am not sure just exactly what the molecular DNA constructs are for why salicina's do not like to pollinate themselves, but that is usaully the case. They NEED outside pollen. Their are a few salicina/americana hybrids that WILL be good pollinators, I think Toka, Kaga and South Dakota being a few of them. They may avoid disease for you too, if americanas do well in your area at all. I think Superior is considered a weak pollinizer as well, plus the fruits are supposed to be pretty good. Never tasted them myself, as my only graft of it expired after a year. I have noticed that some of the myro/salicina hybrids are self fertile, which means they would also fertilize the finicky salicina thoroughbreds. Compass is another good pollinator, if a bit on the tart side. Prunus besseyi being in its heritage. Never grown that one, but I bet it is tough tough tough. I have some of these if you cannot get them locally. I generally rely on Santa Rosa, tho, as I really like its taste. Wanna do some trading this winter?

just answering part of my question....i bought some netting to cover the cherry tree and blueberry bushes as I read online that the birds will eat them before they are ripe. i'm planning to not spray with anything, and see what happens.

there is one on our property,luckily it doesn't sit near pavement and we have had no spreading. BUTwe bought this house right after 04 hurricanes and it had busted right in half.On our property that was no big deal as we have a few acres and it was NOT near a house. My hubby wants it as it is a GREAT privacy screen. It is as tall as ever now. The grandkids climb(only to wear it broke,it made a cool shelf)They also play underneath as it makes a fun secret playhouse. The Giant Leopard moths and other creatures find refuge in it. So,there are my thoughts.I have lost over 15 mature Laurel oaks to disease and all my HUGE slash pines to borers so I am hesitant to remove anything thats not causing a problem(I did remove ALL pepper trees and Australian pines though)and am planting a few of every tree i can,mostly natives good luck tanya