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Production Systems for Apples
As the Pennsylvania industry moves from conventional medium-density, freestanding orchards to high-density, supported orchards, many pruning and training modifications must be made. In the medium-density central leader system, portions of trees are cut back severely for several years to stimulate growth. Emphasis is placed on building a large, strong framework to support future crops.
Conversely, in high-density systems excessive growth is discouraged; and instead of a large, strong framework, a weak-framed tree is desirable. To achieve these ends in a system such as slender spindle, very little pruning is done in early years. The goal is to promote early fruiting, which itself will inhibit future growth. All high-density systems require a greater knowledge and understanding of plant growth and of how the tree will respond to cuts. In early years, more attention is paid to training and positioning limbs than to pruning them. As trees mature, most high-density systems will be more productive if trees are pruned in both winter and summer.
High-density systems also demand greater precision in spacing trees. Since trees are not meant to be vigorous, too wide a spacing is an uneconomical use of the land. Conversely, too narrow a spacing will necessitate more pruning, increasing vigor and reducing light and fruit quality.