I'd like to explain the notes in this pic.
After the 1st topping I leave the flag leaves on at both node locations for about 5 to 7 days. If you leave all of the flags leaves on the 2 new growth sprouts (future branches) at the top will grow at a faster pace than the new growth at the node locate just below.
Because of this I go ahead and trim off the flag leaves at the top node about 5 to 7 days after pruning in order to slow the new growth at the top node. Trimming the flag leaves at the upper node but not the ones at the node below allows the new growth at both node locations to grow at about the same pace resulting in 4 new limbs of equal size and growth rate.
*Important Note - DO NOT trim the top flag leaves before the new growth gets going (about 5 days or so) otherwise you will severely stunt the new growth.
Once the new growth become new limbs with their own leaves then the lower flag leaves can either be left on as is or can be removed if preferred. The limbs will grow at about the same rate since they will have about the same amount of leaves on each new branch fueling photosynthesis for new growth.
I hope that explains the notes in the pic.
