Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
longer than 15 years, freestanding trees can provide sustainable yields and
eliminate the need to install and maintain support systems. Economically,
they are never likely to produce the profits available from early-producing
orchards using the latest, high-value varieties. On the other hand, they will
not require the same level of intensive management.
Trees on Supports
During the 1980s, trellis systems became popular, and many different
designs emerged. Some were tremendously complex and expensive or dif-
ficult to work with, and they did not remain popular for long. Since the
1990s, several training and support systems have emerged that meet grow-
ers' needs more cost-effectively. The primary systems in commercial apple
production today use high-density plantings, tree supports, and intensive
management practices to produce marketable fruit within 2 or 3 years of
planting. Pears can also be grown on temporary or permanent supports in
high-density plantings. Quince and medlar can be adapted to these training
systems, although they are more commonly grown as freestanding trees or
large shrubs. High-density support systems are sometimes used for commer-
cial peaches, nectarines, and sweet cherries, and they can be adapted to be
used for apricots.
Tree support systems include vertical and split canopy designs that sup-
port the trees on poles and/or horizontal wires. Trees usually range from 6
to 14 feet tall, depending on the crop and system.
Support systems have the primary advantages of producing marketable
yields quickly while reducing labor costs and better managing pests and
diseases, compared with low-density, freestanding trees. High-density apple
trees that use precocious rootstocks, for example, come into bearing as early
as their second growing season (second leaf). Some designs create narrow,
wall-like crop rows as little as 2 feet wide, although rows that are 3 to 4 feet
wide are more common. Fruits on most support systems receive abundant
light and usually color up well. Trees on supports can be spaced closer to-
gether than those in freestanding systems, which increases yields. You can
