Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/635697
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower FEBRUARY 15, 2016 29 The trees were planted 2.75 feet apart with 11 feet between rows, for a density of 1,440 trees per acre. For Taber, who farms 300 acres in 14 locations, this was his first Honeycrisp planting and his highest tree density ever. He used 14-foot poles with the intention of installing them 3 feet deep, but had difficulty digging the holes, even with an excavator, because of a layer of moraine. Some trees were planted with a tree planter, but an alarming number snapped off at the bud union in the process, Taber said. Other trees were successfully planted by hand using a PVC pipe as a guide to ensure accurate spacing. Despite the difficulty of installing the posts and anchors, Taber said he felt confident he could make the trellis secure enough. He tried not to cut corners on any- thing and used high-quality wire of the right gauge. Once the trees were in, he fertigated and applied gran- ular fertilizer and foliar nutrients as well. He paid close attention to irrigation and sprayed for mildew weekly. GERALDINE WARNER/GOOD FRUIT GROWER Dave Taber wants to complete the canopy before cropping his Honeycrisp trees. Consider for your next planting: • BRUCE PONDER • SUSAN WILKINSON • ADAM WEIL • DAVE WEIL 503-538-2131 • FAX: 503-538-7616 info@treeconnect.com www.treeconnect.com BENEFITS: • Disease tolerant • Cold hardy • Adapts well to all cherry-growing districts • Forms flower buds and comes into bearing quicker than Mazzard with a better distribution of flower buds Dwarfing Cherry Rootstock Krymsk ® 5 Krymsk ® 6 [cv. VSL-2, USPP 15,723] [cv. LC-52, USPP 16,114] "Krymsk ® 5 and Krymsk ® 6 cherry rootstocks have proven to be the best rootstock for our orchards. They are yield efficient, grow and adapt well, and are cold hardy." —John Morton The Dalles, Oregon 2016 ROOTS AVAILABLE NOW Call Tree Connection: 800-421-4001 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