The soil should be deep enough to allow for extensive root development, since the trees are known for reaching monstrous sizes and requiring lots of support from down below. If you have shallow, easily saturated soil then you should either do something to remedy it or move onto a different type of tree. Usually being adamant in your regular spraying will help prevent infestations of such things as moths, but sometimes it s just not enough. Usually you can recognize of moths have laid eggs on your trees by the ends of the branches. If you notice something that looks like a cluster of moth eggs, you should immediately prune the branch you found it on and destroy it. As an added benefit, you will become very familiar with the process of growing that specific tree. You won t be overwhelmed by having many different types, but instead you will become a master of that specific type. Generally in an orchard, the trees are planted in a row, then pruned to be in a two dimensional shape. Altering the structure of the tree is known as Tree Training . This is a much better way to develop an alternate form for your tree. Pruning should be used to prevent diseases, prevent lopsidedness, and encourage healthier fruit growth. Pruning is also used to maintain the proper shape for the tree. For example, if you have an abundance of branches on one particular side of the tree, then you will use pruning to get rid of the larger segments which weigh down the tree to one side. This will allow you to adjust the direction the tree is being lowered in, just in case it starts leaning towards anything it could destroy. Now that you ve taken all the necessary precautions, you are ready to begin chopping. If you plan on using a manually operated saw or axe, please step back and consider how insane that is. The pathogen which causes these cankers usually enters the tree through older wounds. If you prune all of the sprouts that occur in late summer, cankers will have a harder time making themselves known within your tree. When you prune, always allow the wounds to heal naturally rather than use the wound dressings that you can buy at gardening stores.