I Cut 40 Fruit Trees to Head Height — Did I Go Too Far?

Self Sufficient Me October 6, 2025
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Self Sufficient Me

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I have written a book! https://www.briobooks.store/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow Hi, learn organic gardening, realistic self-sufficient living, keeping quail, chickens, and lots more! My channel is about self-sufficiency and based on my blog (established several years earlier) called "Self Sufficient Me" this doesn't mean I believe I am totally self-sufficient (nor do I want to be) but more that I want to "strive" to be as self-sufficient as I can with the current resources I have on offer. Thank you for subscribing! Look, and see the Earth through her eyes... metaphorically means trying to work WITH nature rather than forcing it artificially.

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In this video, I hard-pruned over 40 fruit trees in our backyard orchard, many of which were back to head height. Here’s why I did it, how I chose the cuts, and what happens next with dramatic before/after drone shots. Order my book here: https://www.briobooks.store/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow Raised Garden Beds: To get Birdies Raised Garden Beds in the USA, go here: https://shop.epicgardening.com and use SSME2020 at checkout for a 5% discount. In Australia, go to https://birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to https://birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase. In South Africa, get Birdies Beds here https://www.birdiesgardenproducts.co.za/ and use code: self-sufficient Chicken stuff and preserving gear: Oz Farmer and get a 10% discount, go here https://ozfarmer.com?ta_aff=T4XRUZILS6 and use code T4XRUZILS6 at checkout. My Garden Plan: https://selfsufficientme.gardenplanner.com/garden-plans/1890355/ Elevated Garden Planters: Check out Vego Garden here https://glnk.io/jnwlw/selfsufficientme and use SELFSUFFICIENTME10OFF for a $10 discount. FoodCube Wicking Beds can be purchased in the USA from https://glnk.io/jnwlw/selfsufficientme and use SELFSUFFICIENTME10OFF for a $10 discount. And, in Australia, from https://www.australianlandscapesupplies.com.au/collections/foodcube-raised-garden-wicking-beds (no affiliate or discount, sorry, on FoodCubes but you can get a discount on potting mixes, etc - see next paragraph below). Check out Australian Landscaping Supplies for a 10% discount: https://www.australianlandscapesupplies.com.au/collections/self-sufficient-me?dt_id=1489901 If you find any problem with the link, use "self_sufficient_me" as the discount code on checkout. Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to https://www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping). Ocean2Earth: https://ocean2earth.com.au/ Use "SSM" on checkout for a 5% discount. For Hoselink Garden Products, such as hose reels, go here: https://l.linklyhq.com/l/5uZu. You will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout! Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/selfsufficientme (the top tier enables mentoring from yours truly via an exclusive VIP email where I will answer your questions, etc, ASAP). Survival Seeds Aust and USA: https://linktr.ee/survivalseeds Use Code SSM at checkout for a 10% discount. Harvest Right freeze dryer website: https://affiliates.harvestright.com/1099.html For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly. Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to https://gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout. Rolling Sifter: https://unclejimswormfarm.com/product/outdoor-compost-bin/rolling-garden-sifter/ https://rollingsifter.ecwid.com/ Compostyng (yes, it's spelt wrong deliberately) for 10% off. My second channel, Self Sufficient Me 2: https://bit.ly/331edDu New (third) Channel: Self Suffishing Me https://bit.ly/2LiIWqt Help support the Channel and buy a T-shirt/Merchandise from our Spreadshirt shop: https://bit.ly/3lmqMkr or Teespring https://bit.ly/3neEYO8 Blog: https://www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on specific subjects or gardening ideas) Forum: http://www.selfsufficientculture.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/self_sufficient_me Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Zi5kDv Twitter: https://twitter.com/SufficientMe Subscribe to my channel: http://goo.gl/cpbojR Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). Cheers, Mark :) *Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. I will always declare in a video if the video is sponsored, and since starting my channel in 2011, I have done one sponsored video https://youtu.be/KKEdVUVg5Z0?si=psUBk-dhonAjIdGk 0:00 Introduction 2:07 Chipping and Mulching with Hansa C21 2:56 Start of Pruning Fruit Trees 4:49 Pruning Mango Tree with Electric Chainsaw 10:44 Using a Large Stihl Chainsaw to Prune Fruit Trees 13:13 Pruning Star Apple Tree That Has Started Fruiting 15:21 Why I don't Heavily Prune Citrus Trees 17:38 Pruning Star Apple Back to the Stump 18:28 Pruning Mango and Star Fruit 19:29 Day Three of Pruning Our Orchard 21:26 Hurt My Leg Pruning a Tree 23:00 What to Do with all the Pruned Wood? 24:08 Will Severely Pruned Trees Survive? 24:33 Day Four of Pruning Fruit Trees 26:31 Day Five of Pruning Fruit Trees 29:54 Scorched Earth Orchard After Pruning 30:28 Traded in my C13 Hansa Chipper for the C21 31:15 Amazing Conclusion

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