I have thinned fruit but some of the limbs are bent over more than I like. The ponkan has a weak limb structure that I am the most concerned about. What I have done in the past is drive 2x4 lumber or pipe in the ground, but there has got to be a better way. Would you share your ideas and past experience with me?
Karl

Problem solved.
I lost a little sleep designing the fix for this but it really works well. All limbs supported and I have happy trees with supported limbs. It’s cheap to install and uses the tree’s natural structure to solve the problem.
Karl

So what's your technique? Cheers, Barrie.

The Ponkan was simple since it has an upright structure. I just wrapped the branches with cloth and ran adjustable bungee cards to an opposing branch and to the center main trunk.
For the Satsuma’s, I purchased a 10’ piece of 13/8’’ chain link top and cut to the appropriate length. I taped the swaged end into the ground 6”or the length of the swaged end. Use S hooks at the top of the open-ended pipe and drop down to each limb. Once you attach to one limb, go to the other side and attach to an opposing limb. Even if it is not drooping attach anyway. Slowly adjust the bungee cords until you have support. Use nylon cord to make up the difference you need if the bungee cords are too short.
This is only temporary support and should be removed when the fruit is picked.
When you support this way, the weight of the branches are balanced out.