Apple trees are fantastic things least of all for the fruit and thus Cider they provide! Ideally they are best kept small - young trees tend to produce prolific amounts of healthy, tasty fruit all within easy reach. No bruised apples from a long fall nor left to rot up in the canopy out of reach.
The trees themselves can grow vigorously though and like most other trees will want to grow big and tall. Regular management is best to keep them under control even if you’re not fussed about growing apples. Some people even find too many apples to be a nuisance!
The above trees were in good health but had developed poor form. I took as much height off them as I dared, leaving healthy growth points at the termination of each branch. I also thinned out a good many of the branches which were crossing haphazardly to leave an open, airy canopy with plenty of room for new shoots to grow and develop fruits.