Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The low-density designs described above for apple and pear work well
for medlar. Medlars can be trained to trellises, although they are most often
grown freestanding. By using the training methods described for apples and
pears, the trees might be planted at higher densities, perhaps as close as 7
feet apart in rows that are spaced 15 feet apart. Medlars' ability to adapt to
high-density spindle and axis systems remains to be determined.
Early training is important because mature medlars do not tolerate heavy
pruning well. For pruning, follow the recommendations for apple and pear.
Training Quince Trees
Quince trees generally resemble apple and pear trees and can be trained to
either central leader or open center designs. Although quince trees have a
strong apical dominance that makes them well suited to central leaders, their
susceptibility to fire blight means that open center training is best in areas
where fire blight is a problem. If one of three to five scaffold limbs in an open
center tree is lost to blight, the tree can still produce fruit. Losing the main
trunk of a central leader tree is more serious.
The biggest difference between quince trees and apple and pear trees is
that apples and pears develop fruiting spurs that can remain productive for
8 to 10 years. Quinces bear their fruits at the tips of current-season shoots.
The goal is to produce new fruiting shoots each year.
Quinces are usually grown as freestanding trees or tall bushes and are
planted in low densities, about 15 feet apart in rows that are 20 to 25 feet
apart. Trees are typically 8 to 15 feet tall. While there may be promise in
growing quinces in high-density axis and spindle systems, similar to apples
and pears, very little research has been published on the subject. For now,
high-density quince plantings should be considered experimental.
Training Saskatoons
Saskatoons are grown as freestanding bushes, although some growers place
two trellis wires, one on either side of the row and about 4 feet above the
ground, to keep the bushes from leaning out into the alleys. Freestanding
 
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