Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/37334
Remember the ‘tall’ in tall spindle? You can’t grow fruit and tree at the same time, says horticulturist Dale Goldy. by Geraldine Warner return on the planting. Goldy, who has established an extensive tall-spindle T Dale Goldy explains how large branches are removed to prevent competition with the central leader. planting in Quincy, Washington, said the first thing to con- sider is the row spacing, which will depend in part on the rootstock and variety being planted. The alleys should be large enough for platforms and future automated equipment to move between the rows. Goldy said a spacing with 12 feet between rows leaves he key to profitability with the tall-spindle system is to make sure the trees reach the top wire of the trellis before they begin to crop, says Dale Goldy, horticulturist with Stemilt Growers, Inc., Wenatchee, Washington. Otherwise, they will not produce enough fruit to generate a positive “These systems don’t work well if you don’t get tree height and fill your room for a 4-foot-wide bin, with 1.5 feet of wiggle room on each side, and allows the tree branches to grow 2.5 feet into the row middle. He likes trees to be elliptical, rather than spherical, and so spaces the trees four feet apart, giving them two feet for their branches on either side. bearing surface.” —Dale Goldy Amano Time Clocks Save You Money With automatic hours calculation right on the card, the MJR-7000 saves you time AND money every day. Come in today and learn how you can control your labor costs with an Amano time clock. 310 E. Chestnut, Yakima, WA 98901 509-453-7115 q 800-327-9198 Serving Central Washington for over 100 Years 44 AUGUST 2011 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com geraldine Warner