I live in Northern Maryland and have two chestnut trees that have been bearing fruit for many, many years. The trees, however, have grown very tall. The leaves are huge and they block the sun. As a result, the grass around them has died, leaving exposed soil. During a severe wind storm this summer, two large branches have snapped. I am thinking of pruning the branches back but afraid it might adversely affect them. I expect that the trees might not bear fruit for a while. My questions are: Will the pruning affect their fruit-bearing and, if so, how many seasons on the average (if there such an average). What is the best way to prune (how much to prune and where on the tree) without killing them? Or, maybe the advice is not to prune them at all? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Pepe
