Apple Growers Adopt Narrow Tree Wall Systems To Improve Light, Yield, and Quality

Apple growers are always looking for ways to improve their productivity and profitability, especially in the face of increasing labor costs and competition.

One of the latest trends in apple production is to convert traditional tall spindle trees into narrow walls, using mechanical pruning techniques such as hedging and root pruning.

Hedging: A Simple Way to Shape Your Trees

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Hedging is the practice of cutting off the sides of the tree canopy with a mechanical device, such as a tractor-mounted hedge trimmer or a hand-held pruner. It can be done at any time of the year, but it is usually performed in the summer and/or the dormant season.

The main purpose of hedging is to reduce the width of the tree and create a more uniform and compact shape.

This can improve light penetration and distribution within the canopy, which can enhance fruit quality and flower bud development.

Hedging can also simplify other orchard operations, such as thinning, harvesting, and pest management, by making the fruit more visible and accessible. It can reduce the need for hand-pruning, which can save labor and time.

However, hedging alone may not be enough to control the vigor and size of the tree, especially if the root system is too large or the soil is too fertile. That is why some growers combine hedging with another technique: root pruning.

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Root Pruning: A Radical Way to Restrict Your Trees

Root pruning is the practice of cutting off some of the roots of the tree with a sharp blade, such as an offset subsoiler or a large colter.

Root pruning is usually done in the spring, before bud break, and it is performed on both sides of the tree row, at a distance of 1-4 feet from the trunk.

The blade should be set at a depth of about 12 inches, to sever the main lateral roots2.

It is a drastic way to reduce the water and nutrient uptake of the tree, which can limit its growth and vigor. It can also stimulate the formation of new roots, which can improve the efficiency and balance of the root system.

Moreover, root pruning can enhance the effects of hedging, by increasing the light levels within the canopy and improving the fruit color, size, and yield.

However, this practice can also have some negative consequences, such as reducing the drought and frost tolerance of the tree, increasing the risk of root diseases, and causing stress and shock to the tree. Therefore, root pruning should be done with caution and care, and only when necessary.

A New Approach to Apple Production

Converting tall spindle apple trees to narrow walls with hedging and root pruning is a new approach to apple production, that can offer some advantages over the traditional system.

By creating a fruiting wall, growers can improve the light environment and the fruit quality of their orchard, while simplifying the labor-intensive tasks of pruning, thinning, and harvesting.

However, this method also requires some adjustments and challenges, such as choosing the right cultivar and rootstock, monitoring the tree's health and vigor, and managing soil fertility and irrigation.

Therefore, growers who are interested in this method should do some research and experimentation before making the transition, and consult with experts and experienced growers for guidance and advice.