Tree Fruit
Resources
www.fruit.cornell.edu/tree_fruit
1
The Tall Spindle Planting System
By Steve Hoying, Terence Robinson and Mike Fargione
Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Hudson Valley Lab and NYSAES.
The Tall Spindle planting system is a planting system particularly suited for New York. It maximizes profitability through early yield, improved fruit quality, reduced spraying, pruning, and training costs, and the ability to rapidly turn over apple varieties from those less profitable to those more profitable.
Essential components of the Tall Spindle system include:
• High density – 1000 – 1500 trees per acre. Planting systems research in NY has shown that the optimum economic planting density is approximately 1000 trees per acre. Proper selection of density for this system depends on consideration of the vigor of the variety and rootstock and the soil strength. The maximum spacing between trees should 4 feet and 12 feet between rows. The optimum Tall Spindle spacing for an average vigor variety and soil is 3 feet by 11 feet
• Full dwarfing rootstocks – The most successful Tall Spindle orchards established to date have been on M.9 and B.9. Precocious dwarfing stocks are important since early cropping is essential. The yield efficiency and precocity of the Geneva rootstock series justifies their use especially where fireblight is a concern. Geneva 41, G.11, and G.16 are all appropriate rootstocks for the Tall Spindle. More vigorous rootstocks than these should only be used with the weakest growing varieties such as Spur Delicious.
• Highly feathered nursery trees – Nursery trees ideally have from 10-15 feathers per tree. Transplant shock caused by a high top to root ration helps keep trees within this tight spacing. It also contributes to significant fruit bud differentiation the year of planting. Trees with scaffolds provide bearing surface for production in the second leaf. Early bearing is essential to help pay for increased tree numbers and establishment costs.
• Minimal pruning at planting – Pruning at planting is a common practice with most planting systems to provide balance between the top to root and to encourage growth. Since the Tall Spindle system is planted with very little growth needed to fill the available space, very little pruning is needed. And one of our objectives is to actually cause some transplant shock. Pruning is limited to only the removal of a few larger branches along the leader. Generally, those that are more than ½ the diameter of the leader at the insertion point are removed.
• Branch devigoration – Upright scaffold branches are devigorated by bending below the horizontal through bending. Branch weights, rubber bands, or tying can all be successful. Branch bending maintains vigor, keeps trees within allotted space, and encourages the production of fruit buds for the following growing season.
• Limb renewal - ALL scaffolds are renewed by complete removal as they become too large for the available space and become out of balance within the tree. Renewal cuts are made using the standard method of using a “bevel cut” which encourages new shoots to form as replacement fruiting limbs. The Tall Spindle differs from most other systems in that there are no permanent limbs within the tree.
Early fruiting – Fruiting in the second and third leaf is essential to keep a low tree vigor level and provide income from early fruit sales. Aggressive pest management practices are essential starting in the second year since marketable crops are expected and necessary for optimum profitability. Crops in the early years must also be carefully managed to prevent biennial bearing. This is the only system we have ever tested that achieved a cumulative production over 1000 bushels in the 1st five years! This resulted in approximately a 40% increase in crop value compared to the Slender Vertical Axis and Sol Axis planting systems.
The information, including any advice or recommendations, contained herein is based upon the research and experience of Cornell Cooperative Extension personnel. While
this information constitutes the best judgment/opinion of such personnel at the time issued, neither Cornell Cooperative Extension nor any representative thereof makes any
representation, endorsement or warrantee, express or implied, of any particular result or application of such information, or regarding any product. Users of any product are
encouraged to read and follow product-labeling instructions and check with the manufacturer or supplier for updated information.
Cornell University provides equal program and employment opportunities.
2
Simplified Pruning and Training Plan
Year of Planting – Plant quality nursery tree with 10-12 feathers and rootstock shank 4-6 inches above ground level while tree is completely dormant at no more than 3 feet apart. Remove feathers that are more than ½ the diameter of the leader where they insert using a bevel cut. Only remove dead or broken ends of the leader and feathers. Irrigate or water trees as necessary to maintain excellent soil water status. Apply ¼ # of Calcium nitrate after the soils settles with a soaking rainfall. Apply another ¼ # CaNO3 4 weeks later after shoot growth starts. Select the leader and remove all competitive shoots 4 inches below the selected leader. Install a 10 foot conduit stake shallowly and attach each tree to stake with a Max Tapener. Install support posts and wire as soon as possible and attach previously installed stakes to wire with a potato bag tie. Alternately use a 4 wire trellis using 12 foot end and inline posts, with a small bamboo training stake which runs from the 2nd to the 4th wire. If necessary weight or tie upright scaffolds to below the horizontal. Control all foliar feeding pests throughout the season ensuring near perfect foliage condition and growth.
2nd Leaf - At dormant remove scaffolds that are more than ½ the diameter of the tree at the insertion point using a bevel cut. Single the leader removing any competitive shoots. Single scaffolds by removing forks. Bend or tuck uprights along the scaffolds that are appropriate for fruiting wood under adjacent branches to weaken them. Remove an occasional exceptionally strong sucker. Weight or tie down scaffold branches missed last year that are too vigorous and upright to below the horizontal. “Pinch” back all shoots in the top half of last year’s leader when they reach 3-6 inches by removing the growing tips. Repeat this operation as new shoots appear or previously pinched shoots regrow. This may take three passes for vigorous varieties. Thin crop to single fruit spaced 6-8 inches apart. Install permanent tree ties to stake or wire to help support fruit on the leader. Keep all insect and disease pests under complete control with frequent scouting and appropriate pest management practices. Control of foliage feeding pests such as aphids, mites and potato leafhopper are extremely important to ensure continued tree growth and fruit bud development. This year’s crop is very important to help ensure the profitability of this planting system. Crop can approach 100-150 bushels/acre on precocious varieties.
3rd Leaf – Remove only large scaffolds and broken branches using renewal pruning concepts. Select the leader by removing competitive shoots if it can be reached from the ground and single the ends of the scaffolds removing all forked ends. Remove all vigorous upright suckers from along scaffolds. Prune up ends of scaffolds to appropriate shoots that will not interfere with herbicide applications and support the crop load. “Pinch” back new shoots in the top ½ of last year’s leader that can be reached from the ground. Thin fruit to singles by hand so that they are at least 4-6 inches apart or appropriate for the tree size and condition. Tie tree to stakes or wire with permanent tree tie at the top of the stake to help support crop load on the leader. Irrigate as needed to maintain tree growth and optimize fruit size. Lightly summer prune removing just a few shoots to open up tree. Keep all insect and disease pests under complete control with frequent scouting and appropriate pest management practices.
4th Leaf – Remove all broken branches, cut up scaffolds to facilitate herbicide applications. Remove large branches that do not fit the system. Remove uprights and weak hanging shoots and suckers. Tie tree to the top of the stake or top wire with permanent tree tie if not done in the previous season. Use appropriate rates of chemical thinner and follow up with hand thinning. Summer prune to open canopy and optimize fruit quality when seasonal growth has stopped. Keep all insect and disease pests under complete control with frequent scouting and appropriate pest management practices.
5th Leaf to 20th Leaf - Remove bottom scaffolds as appropriate until 3 or 4 remain. The remaining scaffolds are not permanent and can be removed as they interfere with equipment of become too large for the space. Remove other limbs throughout the canopy using only renewal concepts. Manage the tree top by allowing crop to bend leader above the support stake or wire. When broken or bent below the horizontal, leaders can be cut back to new upright, NOT BEFORE. Manage the crop load through chemical and hand thinning to ensure annual bearing.
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/tree_fruit/resources/The%20Tall%20Spindle%20Planting%20System.pdf
Resources
www.fruit.cornell.edu/tree_fruit
1
The Tall Spindle Planting System
By Steve Hoying, Terence Robinson and Mike Fargione
Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Hudson Valley Lab and NYSAES.
The Tall Spindle planting system is a planting system particularly suited for New York. It maximizes profitability through early yield, improved fruit quality, reduced spraying, pruning, and training costs, and the ability to rapidly turn over apple varieties from those less profitable to those more profitable.
Essential components of the Tall Spindle system include:
• High density – 1000 – 1500 trees per acre. Planting systems research in NY has shown that the optimum economic planting density is approximately 1000 trees per acre. Proper selection of density for this system depends on consideration of the vigor of the variety and rootstock and the soil strength. The maximum spacing between trees should 4 feet and 12 feet between rows. The optimum Tall Spindle spacing for an average vigor variety and soil is 3 feet by 11 feet
• Full dwarfing rootstocks – The most successful Tall Spindle orchards established to date have been on M.9 and B.9. Precocious dwarfing stocks are important since early cropping is essential. The yield efficiency and precocity of the Geneva rootstock series justifies their use especially where fireblight is a concern. Geneva 41, G.11, and G.16 are all appropriate rootstocks for the Tall Spindle. More vigorous rootstocks than these should only be used with the weakest growing varieties such as Spur Delicious.
• Highly feathered nursery trees – Nursery trees ideally have from 10-15 feathers per tree. Transplant shock caused by a high top to root ration helps keep trees within this tight spacing. It also contributes to significant fruit bud differentiation the year of planting. Trees with scaffolds provide bearing surface for production in the second leaf. Early bearing is essential to help pay for increased tree numbers and establishment costs.
• Minimal pruning at planting – Pruning at planting is a common practice with most planting systems to provide balance between the top to root and to encourage growth. Since the Tall Spindle system is planted with very little growth needed to fill the available space, very little pruning is needed. And one of our objectives is to actually cause some transplant shock. Pruning is limited to only the removal of a few larger branches along the leader. Generally, those that are more than ½ the diameter of the leader at the insertion point are removed.
• Branch devigoration – Upright scaffold branches are devigorated by bending below the horizontal through bending. Branch weights, rubber bands, or tying can all be successful. Branch bending maintains vigor, keeps trees within allotted space, and encourages the production of fruit buds for the following growing season.
• Limb renewal - ALL scaffolds are renewed by complete removal as they become too large for the available space and become out of balance within the tree. Renewal cuts are made using the standard method of using a “bevel cut” which encourages new shoots to form as replacement fruiting limbs. The Tall Spindle differs from most other systems in that there are no permanent limbs within the tree.
Early fruiting – Fruiting in the second and third leaf is essential to keep a low tree vigor level and provide income from early fruit sales. Aggressive pest management practices are essential starting in the second year since marketable crops are expected and necessary for optimum profitability. Crops in the early years must also be carefully managed to prevent biennial bearing. This is the only system we have ever tested that achieved a cumulative production over 1000 bushels in the 1st five years! This resulted in approximately a 40% increase in crop value compared to the Slender Vertical Axis and Sol Axis planting systems.
The information, including any advice or recommendations, contained herein is based upon the research and experience of Cornell Cooperative Extension personnel. While
this information constitutes the best judgment/opinion of such personnel at the time issued, neither Cornell Cooperative Extension nor any representative thereof makes any
representation, endorsement or warrantee, express or implied, of any particular result or application of such information, or regarding any product. Users of any product are
encouraged to read and follow product-labeling instructions and check with the manufacturer or supplier for updated information.
Cornell University provides equal program and employment opportunities.
2
Simplified Pruning and Training Plan
Year of Planting – Plant quality nursery tree with 10-12 feathers and rootstock shank 4-6 inches above ground level while tree is completely dormant at no more than 3 feet apart. Remove feathers that are more than ½ the diameter of the leader where they insert using a bevel cut. Only remove dead or broken ends of the leader and feathers. Irrigate or water trees as necessary to maintain excellent soil water status. Apply ¼ # of Calcium nitrate after the soils settles with a soaking rainfall. Apply another ¼ # CaNO3 4 weeks later after shoot growth starts. Select the leader and remove all competitive shoots 4 inches below the selected leader. Install a 10 foot conduit stake shallowly and attach each tree to stake with a Max Tapener. Install support posts and wire as soon as possible and attach previously installed stakes to wire with a potato bag tie. Alternately use a 4 wire trellis using 12 foot end and inline posts, with a small bamboo training stake which runs from the 2nd to the 4th wire. If necessary weight or tie upright scaffolds to below the horizontal. Control all foliar feeding pests throughout the season ensuring near perfect foliage condition and growth.
2nd Leaf - At dormant remove scaffolds that are more than ½ the diameter of the tree at the insertion point using a bevel cut. Single the leader removing any competitive shoots. Single scaffolds by removing forks. Bend or tuck uprights along the scaffolds that are appropriate for fruiting wood under adjacent branches to weaken them. Remove an occasional exceptionally strong sucker. Weight or tie down scaffold branches missed last year that are too vigorous and upright to below the horizontal. “Pinch” back all shoots in the top half of last year’s leader when they reach 3-6 inches by removing the growing tips. Repeat this operation as new shoots appear or previously pinched shoots regrow. This may take three passes for vigorous varieties. Thin crop to single fruit spaced 6-8 inches apart. Install permanent tree ties to stake or wire to help support fruit on the leader. Keep all insect and disease pests under complete control with frequent scouting and appropriate pest management practices. Control of foliage feeding pests such as aphids, mites and potato leafhopper are extremely important to ensure continued tree growth and fruit bud development. This year’s crop is very important to help ensure the profitability of this planting system. Crop can approach 100-150 bushels/acre on precocious varieties.
3rd Leaf – Remove only large scaffolds and broken branches using renewal pruning concepts. Select the leader by removing competitive shoots if it can be reached from the ground and single the ends of the scaffolds removing all forked ends. Remove all vigorous upright suckers from along scaffolds. Prune up ends of scaffolds to appropriate shoots that will not interfere with herbicide applications and support the crop load. “Pinch” back new shoots in the top ½ of last year’s leader that can be reached from the ground. Thin fruit to singles by hand so that they are at least 4-6 inches apart or appropriate for the tree size and condition. Tie tree to stakes or wire with permanent tree tie at the top of the stake to help support crop load on the leader. Irrigate as needed to maintain tree growth and optimize fruit size. Lightly summer prune removing just a few shoots to open up tree. Keep all insect and disease pests under complete control with frequent scouting and appropriate pest management practices.
4th Leaf – Remove all broken branches, cut up scaffolds to facilitate herbicide applications. Remove large branches that do not fit the system. Remove uprights and weak hanging shoots and suckers. Tie tree to the top of the stake or top wire with permanent tree tie if not done in the previous season. Use appropriate rates of chemical thinner and follow up with hand thinning. Summer prune to open canopy and optimize fruit quality when seasonal growth has stopped. Keep all insect and disease pests under complete control with frequent scouting and appropriate pest management practices.
5th Leaf to 20th Leaf - Remove bottom scaffolds as appropriate until 3 or 4 remain. The remaining scaffolds are not permanent and can be removed as they interfere with equipment of become too large for the space. Remove other limbs throughout the canopy using only renewal concepts. Manage the tree top by allowing crop to bend leader above the support stake or wire. When broken or bent below the horizontal, leaders can be cut back to new upright, NOT BEFORE. Manage the crop load through chemical and hand thinning to ensure annual bearing.
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/tree_fruit/resources/The%20Tall%20Spindle%20Planting%20System.pdf
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου