| kanga50 - Almond trees can survive a drastic cut back, but depending upon what you want from the tree, this treatment may not give you the desired results. If a significant amount of fruiting spurs are still on the tree, you may still get a crop. If not, head back by 1/3 some of the long new shoots (that are likely the result of this drastic pruning) to encourage new fruiting spurs to develop. If fruiting spurs are very old (10-15 years) they should be cut off to encourage new spurs which will yield more fruit. I think a big possible problem with your tree might be how it is growing back. In response to drastic pruning lots of closely spaced new shoots in possibly poor places. Choosing which of these shoots will remain and which should be removed will probably be important. Limbs should be spaced to provide good air circulation and not cross each other. They should branch off each other at wide v-anlges (a very narrow v-angle tends to split off in age). The tree should be kept in overall balance so that one side doesn't fall off or pull the tree over. Most mature Almonds need little pruning annually, so once this tree gets 'stabilized' it should do well on it own for some time with only minumal intervention. Citrus generally need little pruning except to remove dead branches or correct lopsided growth, etc. They should be pruned while in active growth (in Spring or early Summer) in order to prevent die-back. I hope this helps. Do you know of the Mediterranean Garden Society's Balearic Islands Branch? Seean O. | 
