Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/629538
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 1, 2016 37 Basic rules of Stemilt's tall spindle —Trees are planted at densities of 1,000 to 1,500 trees per acre (typically 3 or 4 feet between trees and 11 to 12 feet between rows). —Precocious dwarfing rootstocks are used because early cropping is essential to pay for establishment costs and help control tree vigor. —Highly feathered nursery trees are used. Transplant shock caused by a high top-to-root ratio helps keep trees within the tight spacing and contributes to fruit bud differentiation in the year of planting. —Minimal pruning is done at planting and is limited to removal of a few of the larger branches, generally those that are more than half the diameter of the leader. —Upright scaffold branches are devigorated by bending. —Scaffold limbs are removed as they become too large for the space, leaving 2-inch stubs for renewal, —Although there are no permanent branches in the standard tall-spindle system, Dale Goldy at Stemilt believes that to get tree vigor low enough for high quality fruit production, some limbs need to be considered permanent, particularly with vigor-sensitive varieties like Honeycrisp. With low vigor, new limbs don't grow to refill the space, so it is important to establish balanced limb size early in the life of the tree when you start to think that the limbs are possibly permanent, he says. —G. Warner TJ MULLINAX/GOOD FRUIT GROWER A Stemilt orchard managed by Dale Goldy is planted using a tall spindle system. Orchard-Rite ® PRODUCT REVIEW "One year after I watched my neighbor save most of his apple crop with Orchard-Rite ®wind machines (while I lost three quarters of mine), I decided I should do something on my farm to help ensure that I have fruit to sell every year. I purchased three Orchard-Rite ® wind machines and placed them where I had good trees but couldn't set good crops because of frost. One year the tart cherry orchard where I have a machine that covers the lower two-thirds of the orchard yielded 3 times more cherries than the one-third of the orchard that was not covered. That one machine in that one year paid for itself and half of another.We were able to raise the temperature 4 to 5 degrees (Fahrenheit). We have since added four more machines. With Orchard-Rite ® wind machines we are able to have a more consistent crop from the top of the tree to bottom every year on both apples and cherries. We are very pleased with the service we get on the wind machines. The Superior Wind Machine Service guys give them the once-over every year, keeping them in top-notch condition for the upcoming season!" -- Bob Bush Bush's Apples New Era, MI "With Orchard-Rite® wind machines we are able to have a more consistent crop from the top of the tree to bottom every year on both apples and cherries." 6919 Kra Avenue Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616-971-8177 Fax: 616-971-8178 PHIL BROWN WELDING CORP. PHIL BROWN WELDING CORP. PHIL BROWN WELDING CORP. phone (616) 784-3046 • fax: (616) 784-5852 • 4689–8 mile rd nW, Conklin, michigan 49403 www.philbrownwelding.com BUILDING theBEST since 1964! Box Rotator Box Shuttle Double Fork Ground Hog Frost Fan Economy LIft 3-Point Forks 3-Point Hi Lift Conveyors Freight-Mate Durand Wayland Sprayers We offer a full line of fruit & vegetable equipment: Contact Vine Tech Equipment your Northwest Phil Brown Dealer 509-788-0900 www.vinetechequipment.com A properly planted tree produces like no other. • Adjustable tree depth. • Works on stony and tough ground. • Shoe swings for handling. • Electronic distance marker also available. • Two row tool bar available. TREE PLANTER Self-Propelled Work Platform Hydraulic Work Platform (sold separately) can be mounted on any available running gear.