Tree Walls 



At present, attempts to increase efficiency of apple harvest through 

 increased mechanization have not been encouraging, and many persons be- 

 lieve that orchard modification holds more promise. If tree height is 

 lowered and the trees are trained to a solid hedgerow of restricted width, 

 harvest efficiency can be increased. It was of interest to observe the 

 tree walls being developed by Dave Friday, in Hartford, Michigan. These 

 were described by Friday in the December, 1965, issue of the American 

 Fruit Grower. 



Standard Red Delicious and Golden Delicious on seedling roots were 

 planted 12' by 18' by Friday in 1958, The trees were heavily fertilized 

 and they made about 35 inches of terminal growth per year for the first 

 3 years . The trees were not pruned for 3 years , and in the fourth year 

 the central leader was removed. Two weeks after petal fall, in the 

 third year, the Red Delicious were scored with a linoleum knife and 

 these trees had a snowball bloom the following spring. The Red Delicious 

 again v\7ere scored the following 2 years. It was not necessary to score 

 the Golden Delicious. The orchard produced 500 bushels per acre in the 

 fourth year, 800 bushels the fifth year, and 1000 bushels per acre the 

 sixth year. 



Friday plans to hold the trees to their present size by cutting 

 off any limb that gets too long and letting another grow to take its 

 place. He stated that maximum tree height should be 14 feet and that 

 the rows should run north and south to permit maximum exposure to the 

 sun on both sides of the rows. 



Friday's newer plantings are spur types on seedling roots. Because 

 of the upright growth of these trees, he is experimenting with chemicals 

 and bending techniques to restrict vegetative growth, encourage early 

 fruiting, and to develop a tree wall. One system being tried is the ty- 

 ing together of branches of adjacent trees. Upward growing branches 

 are bent downward and scaffold branches extending into the middle of the 

 rows are pulled into the tree row. 



The most practical bending technique to restrict growth and encourage 

 early fruiting is not known. Techniques that involve tying limbs to wire 

 trellises, to clips forced into the ground, or merely tying together the 

 branches of adjacent trees may develop. Techniques developed probably 

 will vary with variety and growing area. 



Conclusion 



The Michigan fruit industry is a rapidly expanding one, and the 

 growers are experimenting with many practices that we might consider rad- 

 ical. However, from these experiences, we may find solutions to some of 

 our problems. The developments in the Michigan industry will be inter- 

 esting and Important to note for many years to come. 



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