Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ABOVE: 1) Start with a whip or feathered tree, as described for figure
12.9 . Select three to four branches that are well distributed around the
trunk and spaced 3 to 6 inches apart vertically, starting 18 to 30 inches
above the ground. Keep the central leader for now, but remove all the
branches above those you have selected. Spread the branches with
clothespins, weights, spreader bars, or tie-downs.
2) Allow the main scaffolds to develop, keeping them spread to a uniform
bowl or vase shape.
3) Remove the central leader, and head the main scaffold branches about
18 inches above their bases.
4) Prune to keep an open canopy. Head and thin as necessary to maintain
the desired tree height.
Supported Apple Trees
Apples and pears have long been trained on posts and wires. One such sup-
ported design is the slender pyramid, which was mentioned in chapter 3 .
Although trees in this design produce greater yields than freestanding cent-
ral leader and open center apple trees, they are slow to come into produc-
tion and produce lower yields than trees trained with the other high-density
designs discussed later in this chapter. For those reasons, I do not recom-
mend it.
Trellises
Trellises are well suited to apples and pears. While they were probably ori-
ginally intended for ornamental landscaping, the designs are also useful in
high-density orchards. Because they are more costly to establish and pro-
duce lower yields than axis and tall spindle systems, trellises are not widely
used in commercial apple production. (Taller trellises that produce yields
comparable to other high-density systems are being tested in Pennsylvania
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