[Hogwarts]

I keep cutting off the lower horizontal branches but they grow back with a force, I want the tree to grow up and out of the way so I can get the lawn mower around it easily. Any suggestions?

PS I was going to add a photo but the file was too large, an issue I've had before has this been an issue with any one else, any way to get around it?

[doganjo]

Might be the type?  All my fruit trees are on dwarf rooting stock so I can reach the fruit (and the dogs can too of course  )

As to photos the limit is 2 megabytes per photo, with a total of about four mb if you post more than one. 

So you need to reduce the size before posting - open in an image programme (like paint) by taking it in from the corners (pic one I, dragged in from the right to hide my address on Smallholding Scotland OSCR page )to remove a bit of the surround -  or by resizing, pic two is a screen shot of the drop down menu for resize - try it at 50% and check the size after saving
HTH

[chrismahon]

My first thought it is a dwarf variety, so the root stock won't support vertical growth. Perhaps just leave it and only cut the shoots from the base (the root)?

[arobwk]

I keep cutting off the lower horizontal branches but they grow back with a force, I want the tree to grow up and out of the way so I can get the lawn mower around it easily. Any suggestions?

PS I was going to add a photo but the file was too large, an issue I've had before has this been an issue with any one else, any way to get around it?

What is the apple variety and how tall right now please!  (Of course, as chrismahon suggested, you might have a very dwarfing root-stock, say M27 stock, but - thinking aloud - supporting a vigorous grafted variety ??)