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Horticulturist favors TALL SPINDLE Other apple training systems can also be viable. by Geraldine Warner T Tall spindle plantings produce high early yields and are simple to train and prune. eNews Sign up to receive our free e-newsletter with the latest news from the tree fruit and wine grape industries, and links to our Web exclusive articles and features. The redesigned Good Fruit Grower Web site, with its breaking news, blogs, and archived articles, will keep you informed between our print magazine issues and connected with the fruit growing community. www.goodfruit.com 46 AUGUST 2011 GOOD FRUIT GROWER updates here are numerous ways to grow apple trees, and many of them can be successful, says Dr. Terence Robinson, research horticulturist with Cornell University, New York. “As I travel around the world, I see a number of successful modern systems,” he said. Robinson categorizes training systems as freeform (tall spindle, super spindle, and biaxis), semiorganized (Solaxe), and organized (V-trellis and vertical trellis). Freeform The tall spindle, which is the system Robinson favors, has trees planted 3 to 4 feet apart with 11 to 12 feet between rows. The super spindle, which also has been successful in the United States and other parts of the world, has trees planted 1.5 to 2 feet apart with 10 to 11 feet between rows. The biaxis, also known by the trade name Bibaum, was developed in “We can obtain higher yields than we ever thought possible.” —Terence Robinson Italy. Trees are planted less densely, about 4 feet apart in the row, because each tree has two axes rather than one central leader. Rows are about 11 to 12 feet apart. Twin leader is another name for this type of system. Semiorganized The Solaxe system is a more formal system than the spindle. Although Robinson is not a proponent, he con- siders it a viable system that is based on good physiology. Trees are planted 3.5 to 4 feet apart with 12 to 14 feet between rows. Organized The V-trellis, which is common in Washington State, has trees planted 2 to 3 feet apart, but the rows are further apart than with other systems because of the V. Trees lean to alternate sides, and limbs are precisely positioned. The vertical trellis has trees spaced more widely at 4 to 5 feet apart because limbs are trained along each of the five or six wires, but there is usually only 8 to 10 feet between rows. Tall spindle Robinson said all the above systems can be profitable and growers could do well with any one of them as long as they understand the system. However, he favors the tall spindle for a number of reasons: High early yields: It produces high early yields, with growers achieving up to 3,000 bushels (145 bins) in the first five years as well as high yields at maturity. New York growers are harvesting 60 to 90 bins per acre, which was unheard of some years ago. “We can obtain higher yields than we ever thought possible,” Robinson said. High fruit quality: Fruit quality is high because of good light distribution in the trees. Easy to teach: Pruning and training are simple, so it’s an easy system to teach to unskilled workers. After limbs are tied down in the first year, little further training is needed compared with organized systems. Branches bend naturally with the weight of the fruit, which leads to a balance of vegetative growth and cropping. The system’s simplicity makes it adapted to partial mechanization. Lower unit costs: The combination of comparatively high yields, high fruit quality, and low training and pruning costs result in a lower per-box production cost. The ideal tree for the tall spindle system has a caliper of 5/8 inch and at least ten feathers and is not headed at planting. Robinson said some growers use sleeping eyes www.goodfruit.com michigan state university Click on any article or photo to learn more at www.goodfruit.com. Apple crop varies across the country harvest is running 10 days ahead of normal. Growers in New York had one of the best growing seasons in a long time. In Michigan, a May freeze shortened the crop by about half. In Washington, an unusually cool, wet spring and late summer resulted in smaller fruit and some russeting, but good color on the red varieties. A Mike Nicholson checks Rubens apples in a north central Washington orchard. WASHINGTON’S GRAPE HARVEST IS OFF TO A SLOW START Washington State’s grape harvest is finally underway after one of the latest starts in many years. Wine grapes throughout the state are now being picked and juice grape will start in full crush September 27. Mike Concienne of National Grape Cooperative Associa- tion (Welch’s) in Grandview reports they will crush Niagara juice grapes first and then move into Concords the first week of October. The targeted October 3 Concord start date will be the latest start for Con- cords since 1971, he said, adding that the average start date is September 18. Wine barrels at Maryhill Winery wait to be filled, just as many of Washington State’s wineries wait for grapes to crush. WASHINGTON RECEIVES FUNDING The WSDA has received $3.7 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agri - culture to allocate to projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. CONTACT Mail: Good Fruit Grower WSU RECRUITING GRAPE AND TREE FRUIT EXTENSION EDUCATORS Washington State’s grape industry has several opportunities to participate in the interview process for the viticulture exten- sion specialist posi- tion. Michelle Moyer, graduate research assistant from Cornell University, will visit Washington this week, meeting with WSU staff and industry. Moyer received her bachelor’s of science degree in 2005 from the University of Wis- Michelle Moyer consin, Madison, and has been at Cornell since then working on her master’s and doctorate degrees in plant pathology. WSU is readvertising the open tree fruit Extension position for Yakima County. Dr. Jim Olmstead, the last person to hold the position, left in the summer of 2009 to be the blueberry breeder at the University of Florida. pple growers around the country have been facing different challenges this season. In Pennsylvania, apples are running small because of a two- month dry spell in late summer and Phone: 509-853-3520 105 South 18th Street, Suite 217 1-800-487-9946 Yakima, Washington 98901 FAX 509-853-3521 Internet: www.goodfruit.com Staff e-mail directory Melissa Hansen Courtesy Chelan Fresh Marketing