-4- 



the central leader were utilized unless they iiad narrow crotcli angles or competed 

 with the central leader. 



Fig. 4. Structural branch from 'Redspur Delicious' tree on which heading cuts were 

 made annually for 4-consecutive years. The white lines mark where heading 

 cuts were made. The bearing surface on this limb is slightly greater than on 

 the "typical" non-headed branch shown in Fig.3 but the procedure eliminated 

 many potential fruiting spurs. 



