Shirl, get one of those pickers on a pole.

On a telescopic pole, a bit like a bulb planter withot a handle, castellated wider top to catch the apple stalk for a gentle twist, narrows a bit into a soft bag to hold the fruit.

All you will get if you lower the crown a a LOT of vigerous whippy growth from all over what is left.

Get a copy of the RHS "Fruit Garden Displayed" it has a good section on pruning.

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