Planting a fruit tree is an investment for your future and those to come.  Most fruit trees need a minimum of intervention to produce good crops year after year.  Fruit trees - are a fairly complicated area - if in doubt - leave it alone. 

Choose a tree - on the correct rooting stock - remembering the size of the tree is determined by the root stock (read the label for eventual tree size).  When planting a new fruit tree - plant in Winter - when the plant is dormant.  Dig in some organic matter to the planting hole and create a hole larger than the root ball.  Hammer in a stake before planting - then arrange the tree in the hole - remembering to keep the graft above ground, planting at the same level the tree was in the pot.  Keep the soil around the tree free of any competing plants or grass and mulch generously.

It helps sometimes to thin the fruits after the June drop.  This leads to larger fruits.  In the initial stages prune for dead, diseased and damaged branches.  Pruning can take place in Winter for all trees apart from Plum and Cherry (which should be pruned in summer.  Prune for shape and get used to cutting above a bud - the tree will then shoot from that terminal bud in the direction of the bud.  Aim for an open goblet shape - with enough space to throw a hat through the tree (or fly a pigeon!).

And do not prune out more than a third of growth in one growing season.  Otherwise this can lead to water shoots and the tree overcompensating for loss by throwing out hundreds of shoots.

Enjoy your fruit tree - and the hope of a good harvest next year!