son (the HYTEC and Guttingen V trees had 

 nofniit). 



Remember that the philosophy in this sys- 

 tem is to maintain a canopy of temporary 

 branches. UnUke the Vertical Axe and the Slen- 

 der Spindle at wider spacings, no permanent 

 branch system is maintained. Therefore, a 

 branch is removed once it has borne fruit for 

 one to two seasons. Any strong branches lack- 

 ing in fruit are not allowed to stay. 



Fireblight 



This system has many drawbacks. Estab- 



lishment cost is the primary problem in the SSS. 

 Additionally, the system depends on intensive 

 and frequent summer pruning to keep the 

 canopy vigor under control. Growers attempt- 

 ing this system will find that the practice of rip- 

 ping and tearing off branches is in direct con- 

 flict with suppression of the spread of fireblight 

 (FB). Dr. Paul Steiner at the University of 

 Maryland contends that bacteria reside on the 

 surface of bark and that it can readily enter the 

 vascular system in wounds such as those de- 

 veloped through the ripping or tearing process. 

 This happens frequently in the Midwest and 

 east following a hail storm. Sterilizing equip- 



Fru;t Notes, Summer, 1995 



