With a 6' by 12" to 14" spacing I think you'd have less labor input just going with a simple central leader tree. You can manipulate the central leader to keep it weak by bending to keep the tree height down. Single stake for each tree, no trellis. The training system you show in the picture looks like something a researcher would do, too much work for too little return.
Bill Fleming Montana State University Western Ag Research Center 580 Quast Ln Corvallis, Montana ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tommy and Sandy Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:16 PM To: Apple-crop discussion list Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Training goal as it relates to initial planting Personally I would take my money and do something else with it rather than start an orchard. Being in the farming business is an honorable profession, but there are easiler ways to lose money. Tommy Bruguiere Dickie Bros. Orchard ----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Fackler<mailto:[email protected]> To: Apple-crop discussion list<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:49 PM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Training goal as it relates to initial planting Rye: If you have good soil and live in S. Calif, those trees will get bigger than 7-9' and (likely) occupy more space than 6' between trees. And while you seem determined to use a wire trellis, you should know that wires are a pain. Or as the trees grow and fill in their space limbs/foliage will make pruning difficult. Reason. Invariably you'll get your pruners into the wire and ruin both pruners and possibly the wire. Further every time you want to get on the other side of this trellis you'll need to walk around the end of the row. And on a hot (100 degree plus) day, this sort of stuff is unwanted. I'd suggest you use a single post for each tree and simply anchor (tie) each tree to the post. Ed......former grower, now too old to think about trellis...S. Ind... 2011/2/19 <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Hello, newbie here. I am planting a small high density orchard. I have bareroots on order on m9 nic-29. Due to arrive in the next week or three. I'm planting with 6 foot in-row spacing and looking to maintain a tree height of about 7-9 feet on 4 (or 5 if they look like they want to grow to 9 feet) wire trellises for a hedgegrow with the main branches latticed similar to this photo: http://resources.cas.psu.edu/TFPG/apple_trellis/images/slide33.gif Two ways I can think to accomplish this: 1) after planting, cut the scion to about 22 inches (from ground level) and train two leaders to grow 45 degrees North and South respectively. 2) initially plant trees at a 45 degree angle, leaning to the North, training a low shoot to grow 45 degrees to the South. I lean towards option 1) but being a newbie I'm hesitant to cut them so short. However, that's what it looks like was done in the photo. Can a newly planted bareroot handle being cut to 22 inches? Also they will be in grow tubes to protect from the critters. Just wanted to mention that if it matters that only about 3 inches of wood will get a full day's sun initially. Thank you so much for your consideration. Rye Hefley Future Farmer's Market Vendor Private orchard in So. Cal. _______________________________________________ apple-crop mailing list [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ________________________________ _______________________________________________ apple-crop mailing list [email protected] http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
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