suming. In 1992, avis strapping material was used 

 to tie limbs. This 1/2-inch, multi-stranded strapping 

 material was split easily into five pieces of five 

 strands each. The advantage of this material is that 

 it can be tied directly to conduit pipe without the use 

 of a screw and without slipping, therefore making it 

 much easier to use than the previous method. 



Vertical Axis. The vertical axis utilizes a tall 

 post to allow unrestricted tree growth to a height 

 where it will fruit out. In this planting, posts extend 

 10.5 feet out of the soil. Trees were spaced 6' x 14' 

 (519 trees per acre). A number of lateral branches 

 existed on trees at planting, and none were removed 

 and trees were not headed. A small amount of 

 pinching of vigorous, upright shoots was done in 

 June each season. Also in each season, some vigor- 

 ous limbs were bent with weights in early July. 



Vertical Trellis. The trellis used in this planting 

 is seven feet tall and includes four wires, every 18 

 inches beginning at 24 inches from the soil. Trees 

 were spaced 8' x 14' (389 trees per acre). Trees were 



headed at approximately 22 inches from the soil. As 

 branches grew, a central leader was chosen, and 

 lateral branches were tied to the lowest wires at 

 approximately 70°. Branches higher up in the canopy 

 were tied at a greater angle. 



The Economics 



Table 1 summarizes the costs and returns asso- 

 ciated with the four treatments used in this trial. 

 Duringthe first season, the primary difference among 

 the total costs related to differences in establishment 

 costs (for details of establishment costs see Autio, 

 1990). Some differences existed in the amount of 

 labor involved with training, with the vertical axis 

 requiring the most, followed by the slender spindle, 

 central leader, and trellis. 



Duringthe second growing season, significantly 

 more labor and supplies were required for the slen- 

 der-spindle system than the others. The NE central 

 leader was the least intensive and least costly. Ver- 



Fruit Notes, Summer, 1993 



