-2- 



Heading height did not influence the number of lateral shoots 

 or the total growth (Table 1) or trunk circumference increase (data 

 not shown) . The influence of heading height on length of leader was 

 not consistent. 



Although the data in Table 1 shows that heading hei 

 critical in regard to total growth, there are other aspe 

 response to consider. We presently prefer that branches 

 trees be symmetrically arranged around the vertical axis 

 leader tree and be spaced far enough apart to avoid limb 

 when the trees become larger. In contrast, some fruit g 

 prefer having tiers of branches. Regardless, heading a 

 example to 24 inches, can limit the number of permanent 

 ches selected the first growing season to 2 or 3 if vert 

 of 4 to 6 inches are desired. Furthermore, a whorl of c 

 shoots may develop on trees headed at 24 inches which co 

 the leader unless some are removed and/or spread horizon 

 mechanical device such as wooden, snap clothespins. 



ght was not 

 cts of tree 



of apple 



of the central 



crowding 

 rowing areas 

 tree low, for 

 lateral bran- 

 ical spacings 

 losely-spaced 

 mpete with 

 tally with a 



We found in 1977 that the lateral shoots on Marshall Mcintosh 

 and Redspur Delicious were more widely spaced on trees headed at 

 36 inches than those cut at 30 inches at planting. The wider vert- 

 ical spacing could aid in selection of shoots because of our prefer- 

 ence of having trees with branches symmetrically arranged around the 

 vertical axis of the central leader, and with vertical spacings of 

 4 to 6 inches. 



Spur-type strains of Mcintosh and 

 Delicious tend to produce short lateral 

 growth the year of planting except dire 

 behind the heading cut, particularly De 

 icious. In some apple growing areas he 

 ing heights of 24 inches are considered 

 necessary on spur-type trees that are t 

 be grown free-standing, to insure the d 

 elopment of the first tier of scaffold 

 limbs within the desired location on th 

 tree. Spur-type trees headed at 36 inc 

 under our conditions, generally produce 

 short lateral shoots the year of planti 

 but this higher heading height presents 

 the opportunity to select more widely-s 

 shoots. Furthermore, we have observed 

 spur-strains headed at this height will 

 duce a good framework of branches durin 

 the 2nd and 3rd growing seasons even th 

 the growth was poor the year of plantin 

 (Figure 1) . 



ctly 



1- 



ad- 



o 

 ev- 



e 

 hes , 



ng 



pacec 

 that 

 pro- 



ough 

 g 



Figure 1. One of the Redspur Delicious/ 

 MMlll trees used in our heading height study 

 The tree was headed at 36" at planting in 

 1977. Photograph taken in December, 1978. 



