Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
as they are swelling in spring. As the new shoots form, keep those that fit
the trellis well and remove the others.
You can train the branches horizontally, at about 45 degrees, or vertically.
Horizontal branches typically produce the most undesirable water sprouts,
while palmette designs can be easier to manage. Pruning established trellises
mostly involves removing water sprouts, keeping the rows narrow, and occa-
sionally renewing the fruiting wood beginning about 6 years after planting.
Slender spindle design.
One of the earlier innovations in high-density apple
plantings was the slender spindle design. Apples grown on M9, Bud9, M26,
and similarly vigorous rootstocks are planted next to strong, rigid posts, and
the trunks are tied loosely to the posts. Allow the trees to grow about 6 to
8 feet tall, and train them to conic shapes. The trees are typically planted
about 4 feet apart in rows that are spaced 10 feet apart, with 1,089 trees per
acre.
Slender spindles work well when space is limited, but they do not provide
the high yields needed for today's commercial orchards. It's also very expens-
ive to install the many trees and posts that are needed. For these reasons,
slender spindles are no longer popular commercially, but they still have their
place in home and market orchards. A higher-density version called the su-
per spindle uses horizontal wires to support the trees, rather than solid posts.
In the super spindle system, trees are planted 2 to 3 feet apart.
An ideal method is to plant stock that has four to eight feathers that
begin about 18 inches above the ground. The feathered trees save training
time by eliminating the need to head the leader to force lateral branches.
Distribute the branches around the trunk, several inches apart vertically. Use
clothespins and weights, if necessary, to form angles that are nearly, but still
above, horizontal.
