2 - 



Now let's look at our plantings on size-controlling stocks, 

 most of which are on EM VII rootstock,in terms of efficient land 

 utilization. In the past, we recommended a 20' x 30' spacing for 

 Mcintosh on EM VII rootstock. Three possibilities exist in these 

 plantings regarding space: (a) the trees may not fully utilize 

 the space alloted; (b) it may take an excessive number of years to 

 fill the alloted area; or ( c ) the spacing is too close. 



Dr. Cain cited a report of National Fruit Trials in England 

 which indicated that the average spread of 89 varieties on EM VII 

 rootstock was about 10 feet at 10 years of age and that they can 

 conveniently be held to this size by minimum peripheral pruning. 

 However, variations due to variety, soil, nutrition and climate 

 may cause wide differences from this figure. In 1963, the branch 

 spread on 19-year-old Mcintosh on EM VII in the University 

 Massachusetts orchard in Amherst, averaged 29 feet, with a 

 of 27 to 31 feet. No attempt had been made to confine the 

 of these trees by pruning. Since 1963, the height (12' to 

 and the spread has been restricted. 



of 



range 

 spread 

 14') 



Data shown below (Table 1) for branch spread and yield of a 

 young Mcintosh orchard on EM VII in Shelburne, Mass., planted 20' 

 x 30', 72 trees per acre, also indicate the vigor of this variety 

 on EM VII. It would appear that Mcintosh on EM VII in Massachusetts 

 is much more vigorous than trees on similar stock in England, and 

 that we can assume that trees here will fill the 20' x 30' spacing 

 alloted this variety in the past. When these trees eventually ob- 

 tain a spread of 20 feet, they will fill about 66% of the land area 

 if a 10 foot alley is maintained. 



Table 1. Spread and yields of young bearing 'Mcintosh' trees in 

 Shelburne, Mass. 1965-1968. 



Yield Yield 



Yield Tree age Tree spread (boxes/tree) ( boxes/acre) 



1965 



8.0 



0.23 



17 



1966 



9.8 



0.88 



63 



1967 

 1968 



6 

 7 



12.3 

 14.3 



3.30 

 3.10 



238 



223 



1 



Measurements made by taking 2 measurements at right angles to 



each other. Measurements were made from the tip of the outermost 



branch on one side of the tree to the outermost tip on the oppo- 

 site s i d e . 



Dr. Cain stressed the importance of filling the land area 

 quickly with bearing surface and cited the beneficial effect of 

 close tree spacings on the lifetime production of the orchard. At 

 8' X 16' spacing with an 8 foot alley, the trees will occupy 50% 

 of the land in 8 years and will be near maximum production. On 



