Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ities of more than 1,000 trees per acre. In this topic, we recommend wider
spacings and a maximum of about 670 sweet cherry trees per acre.
A long-term orchard trial in New York produced the highest yields on
a vertical axis system, with lower yields on slender spindle and V-systems.
Spanish bush-trained trees produced less than half the yields of those
trained to the vertical axis, and central leader trees produced the lowest
yields.
Using the spindle and axe systems.
Precocious, dwarfing rootstocks are gen-
erally used for vertical axis and spindle cherry systems, although more vig-
orous rootstocks are used where soils and climate limit cherry tree vigor. As
with other high-density systems, establishment costs and management in-
put are high. The trees are well suited for producing hand-picked fresh fruit,
and around 80 percent of the fruit is harvestable without ladders. The nar-
row rows also make it relatively easy to control pests and diseases.
For trees on Gisela 5, Michigan State University recommends planting
the trees 8 feet apart in rows that are 15 feet apart. For trees on Gisela 6,
plant the trees 9 to 10 feet apart in rows that are 16 to 17 feet apart. Where
soils and climate produce vigorous sweet cherry trees, the wider spacings
can provide less crowding over the long term.
While vertical axis and spindle training for sweet cherries show promise,
adoption by commercial growers in North America has been slow. Wide-
spread use of these techniques in North America may depend on rootstock
breeders developing improved dwarfing rootstocks that maintain acceptable
fruit size. Consider testing these designs in experimental plantings at this
time. The following guidelines for slender spindle sweet cherry training are
based, in part, on work done at Cornell University and recommendations by
Michigan State University.
The vertical axis and slender spindle systems develop conic-shaped trees
that are very narrow at the tops and provide good light penetration to
the bottoms of the trees. Vertical axis trees are generally taller than those
trained to slender spindles, which accounts for their greater yields. The in-
