High density apple orchard management - Page 8 |
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8 High Density Apple Orchard Management tion, bagging, bending, heading, leader renewal, or notching, etc., which will be discussed later in the “Leader Management Techniques” section of this publication. Research in North Carolina has found that vertical axis trees, where the leader is not manipulated, do not have continuous branch-ing along the leader, which is required for a pro-ductive and profitable tree. These trees have lower branches, an area of 2-4 feet of blind wood, or unbranched leader, and branches at the top of the tree. Therefore, the leader must be manipu-lated in some manner to ensure continuous branching. All lateral branches with wide crotch angles should be maintained for the first 3-5 years to maximize early fruit production. A lower whorl of scaffolds should be identified as permanent and others should be removed as shading becomes a problem. There may also be a second semi-per-manent whorl approximately 12 inches above the first that should also be identified and removed as shading becomes a problem. Permanent whorls are maintained in the lower portion of the tree as there is some concern about a lack of vigor and light in that area of the tree. The permanent whorls should be spread out to approximately 85 degrees from vertical to encourage lateral branch-ing and floral initiation. Above the second whorl of scaffolds all branches should be renewed every 3-4 years. These lateral branches will be cropped for several years. As the diameter of the lateral ap-proaches 50% of the leader’s diameter, the lateral is removed by a cut at a downward angle, referred to as a Dutch cut (Figure 1). This cut allows la-tent buds on the bottom of the stub to grow, giv-ing rise to lateral limbs with wide crotch angles. It is also imperative to maintain the conical shape of the tree to allow optimal light distribution within the canopy. However, in the first 3-4 years there should be minimal pruning done, using tree training techniques such as bending, spreading, etc. approximately every 6 weeks during the growing season. High Density Training Techniques for the Southeast Characteristics of and requirements for slender spindle–type trees follow: • Pyramid-shaped tree like the central leader. • Height controlled at 8-10 feet. • Maximum width of tree limb spread 6-7 feet. • Lateral branches continuously along the cen-tral leader. • Summer training and pruning to control tree vigor (primarily in the first 4 years). • One or two permanent whorls of lateral limbs can be established in the lower portion of the tree, providing limb diameter doesn’t compete with leader diameter. • Leader management for profuse lateral branching is important to generate fruiting wood production and to increase the num-ber of growing points to control vigor. • Lateral shoot positioning is important to control vigor and encourage fruiting. This positioning is also necessary to stimulate secondary branching. • Non-branched areas of the leader are areas of lost fruit production. Thus, successful leader management is directly related to early and total fruit production potential. • Trees must have a permanent support sys-tem for the total height of the trees to at-tach the leader to every 15-18 inches. This support holds trees stable in soil and sup-ports the fruit load. If tree vigor is limited by inadequate soil moisture or ground cover competition, tree vigor and growth will be reduced and tree training techniques will not be as effective. Figure 1. A Dutch cut is a technique used to cut lateral branches to an angled stub, allowing latent buds at the bottom to grow. (Note wide crotch angle.)
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Title | High density apple orchard management - Page 8 |
Full Text | 8 High Density Apple Orchard Management tion, bagging, bending, heading, leader renewal, or notching, etc., which will be discussed later in the “Leader Management Techniques” section of this publication. Research in North Carolina has found that vertical axis trees, where the leader is not manipulated, do not have continuous branch-ing along the leader, which is required for a pro-ductive and profitable tree. These trees have lower branches, an area of 2-4 feet of blind wood, or unbranched leader, and branches at the top of the tree. Therefore, the leader must be manipu-lated in some manner to ensure continuous branching. All lateral branches with wide crotch angles should be maintained for the first 3-5 years to maximize early fruit production. A lower whorl of scaffolds should be identified as permanent and others should be removed as shading becomes a problem. There may also be a second semi-per-manent whorl approximately 12 inches above the first that should also be identified and removed as shading becomes a problem. Permanent whorls are maintained in the lower portion of the tree as there is some concern about a lack of vigor and light in that area of the tree. The permanent whorls should be spread out to approximately 85 degrees from vertical to encourage lateral branch-ing and floral initiation. Above the second whorl of scaffolds all branches should be renewed every 3-4 years. These lateral branches will be cropped for several years. As the diameter of the lateral ap-proaches 50% of the leader’s diameter, the lateral is removed by a cut at a downward angle, referred to as a Dutch cut (Figure 1). This cut allows la-tent buds on the bottom of the stub to grow, giv-ing rise to lateral limbs with wide crotch angles. It is also imperative to maintain the conical shape of the tree to allow optimal light distribution within the canopy. However, in the first 3-4 years there should be minimal pruning done, using tree training techniques such as bending, spreading, etc. approximately every 6 weeks during the growing season. High Density Training Techniques for the Southeast Characteristics of and requirements for slender spindle–type trees follow: • Pyramid-shaped tree like the central leader. • Height controlled at 8-10 feet. • Maximum width of tree limb spread 6-7 feet. • Lateral branches continuously along the cen-tral leader. • Summer training and pruning to control tree vigor (primarily in the first 4 years). • One or two permanent whorls of lateral limbs can be established in the lower portion of the tree, providing limb diameter doesn’t compete with leader diameter. • Leader management for profuse lateral branching is important to generate fruiting wood production and to increase the num-ber of growing points to control vigor. • Lateral shoot positioning is important to control vigor and encourage fruiting. This positioning is also necessary to stimulate secondary branching. • Non-branched areas of the leader are areas of lost fruit production. Thus, successful leader management is directly related to early and total fruit production potential. • Trees must have a permanent support sys-tem for the total height of the trees to at-tach the leader to every 15-18 inches. This support holds trees stable in soil and sup-ports the fruit load. If tree vigor is limited by inadequate soil moisture or ground cover competition, tree vigor and growth will be reduced and tree training techniques will not be as effective. Figure 1. A Dutch cut is a technique used to cut lateral branches to an angled stub, allowing latent buds at the bottom to grow. (Note wide crotch angle.) |