lowest density (NE central leader and vertical trel- 

 lis). The highest yielding systems are at the highest 

 density (vertical axis and slender spindle). 



Overall, it is clear that any of these systems can 

 be relatively successful. Even the least productive is 

 expected to pay back the initial investment by the 

 end of the sixth season, significantly better than 

 free-standing central-leader trees on M.7. Selection 

 of a system, however, must be based not only on the 

 overall economic considerations but on the grower's 

 interests in, abUity for, and commitment to horticul- 

 tursd management, i.e. can and will he or she become 

 more intensively involved with training and other 

 horticultural practices than normally is needed for 

 free-standing trees. 



References 



Autio,W.R. 1989. Trends in the New England apple 

 industry. Fruit Notes 54(4):12-17. 



Autio,W.R. 1990. Costs ofestablishing high density 

 apple plantings. Fruit Notes 55(4):l-5. 



Autio, W. R. 1993. High-density Apple Training: 

 Costs of Establishment. University of Massachu- 

 setts Cooperative Extension System Factsheet F- 

 110. 



Castaldi, M. 1987. Summary of Annual Apple 

 Production Costs. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 



Fuller, E., W. Lazarus, and L. Carrigan. 1991. 

 MinnesotaFarm Machinery Economic Costs for 1991. 

 Minnesota Extension Service AG-FO-2308-C. 



White, G. B. and A. DeMarree. 1992. Economics of 

 Apple Orchard Planting Systems. Cornell Coopera- 

 tive Extension Bulletin 227. 



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Fruit Notes, Summer, 1993 



