Pieces of the orchard system puzzle
Arrangement
Support
Training
Pruning
Density
Tree quality
Rootstock
Training vs pruning
Training - establishing tree shape in first 3 years
Pruning - maintaining productivity 3+ years
Tree spacing requirements
Row width set by equipment
Rows are as far a parts as trees are tall
Capture ~2/3 of light
4 orchard systems
Free standing central leader
Slender spindle
Vertical axis
Super spindle
Central leader
Low density
Intermediate to large
No support
Low precocity
Slender spindle
Modate to high density
Short tree
Individual post support
Precocious
Vertical axis
Moderate to high density
Intermediate size
Wire and post support
Tiller than slender spindle
Very little training /pruning
Super spindle
Very high density
Tall and narrow
Wire support
High precocity
Less land required
Most profitable orchard system
Tree spacing: 1 x 3.5m
Tree height: 3.5m
Rootstock: Fills the canopy by year 3
Longevity: 15 years
Tree productivity vs efficiency
Productivity is light interception and it increases as density increases
Efficiency has more to do with dwarfing and how much wood:fruit ratio
How does fruiting affect vegetative growth?
All vegetative growth (roots, leaves, wood) grows less when the tree fruits.
Christmas tree shaped trees
Very good because they have more outer surface area where light can reach and less internal volume where the light does not penetrate
Primary reasons for pruning fruit trees
Remove diseased/broken branches
Controlling tree size
Improving light exposure/penetration
Removing marginal wood that doesn’t produce well
Opening up canopies for more effective spray applications
Stimulating vegetative growth
Heading cut vs thinning cut
Heading removes apical dominance allowing localized branching. This is what you do to a one year old whip to encourage lateral branching
Thinning - limb is removed entirely. Thins the canopy, more general response
