Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/459886
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 15, 2015 39 weak side branch without a vigorous response." Another suggestion for preventing "blown-out tops" is to crop them heavily. Trees that are making fruit aren't making wood. Here are other solutions: —Faithfully follow the rules of renewal pruning, taking out any branch that is half the diameter of the trunk. "On trees with overgrown tops that need to be restructured, moderate renewal pruning—taking out one or two large upper branches annually for a four- to fi ve-year period— can eliminate all of the large branches in the top of the tree," Robinson said. —Don't head the leader. While trees can become too tall, cutting the leader to control height will induce profuse new growth, magnifying the problem. "Manage the tree top by allowing crop to bend the leader above the support stake or wire," Robinson said. "When broken or bent below the horizontal, leaders can be cut back to a new upright, but not before," he said. —Spray vigorous tree tops with Apogee (prohexadione calcium). Use low doses, at about bloom time and again three weeks later, just on the tops, Robinson advised. The growth regulator reduces shoot elongation. Root pruning will also affect top growth, Robinson said, but that's an "emergency measure" to use when other means fail. • 360.333.4044 Casey Schoenberger Mount Vernon, WA Dramm Corporation Manitowoc, WI • U.S.A. www.FishFertilizer.com Extremely high levels of available Calcium & Phosphorus Natural Fish Fertilizers for Organic & Sustainable Crop Production BERRIES VINEYARDS ORCHARDS AVOID THE ORCHARD OF NO RETURN WITH SOIL FUMIGATION CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPLICATION: Northwest Washington: Tim Purcell 360-630-4285 Yakima Valley: Robert Rauert 509-728-2004 Columbia Basin: Jason Rainer 509-731-5424 Oregon: David Sbur 971-563-8848 Office 360-225-3588 Soil fumigation in replanted orchards produces earlier, bigger yields and higher profits—not just in the early years, but over the life of the orchard. Trident Agricultural Products can help you create that orchard. With 30+ years of experience, Trident is the Pacific Northwest's soil fumigation specialist. Trident offers custom application of Telone ® C-17, Telone C-35 and Pic-Clor 60. Applications can be made in tree fruit, hops, grapes, berries and nursery crops. ® Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") ϐǤ restricted use pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. ONLINE The complete Apples of Italy special series is available at goodfruit.com/2014-ifta "Often growers want to limit tree height by heading the leader in the top of the tree. If heading cuts are made on vertical shoots ... vigorous regrowth results." —Terence Robinson PHOTOS BY RICHARD LEHNERT Cornell University pomologist Terence Robinson used an IFTA tour bus as a mobile classroom. Those are the Dolomite Mountains in the background. Con Traas, an Irish apple grower and frequent commenter on the Virtual Orchard listserve, is accompanied by his son Daniel on the bus tour through Italy. Interesting things happen on tours. Pennsylvania orchardist Mark Boyer proposed marriage to Brooke McCoy during the tour of Venice. She said yes. New York apple grower Rod Dressel and his daughter Sarah take a break during the bus tour through the Dolomite Mountains. The bus taking a climb along Italy's winding mountain roads.