[NAFEX] Opinions on tree size and spacing

Dale Burkholder dburk at planetcomm.net
Tue Sep 10 11:41:19 EDT 2002


I recently bought a 9 acre farmette and want to plant about 1 acre in apple 
orchard. I would like some opinions on tree size and spacing. I had planted 
about 40 trees with 70 varieties grafted, on all kinds of rootstock where I 
lived before, but the trees haven't grown to full size yet so I didn't have 
a chance to learn from all my mistakes. Here's what I'm thinking now. Plant 
part of the orchard on approximately M26 size rootstock for the dozens of 
more "commercial" varieties, and smaller, M9 size trees for the 100 or so 
wierd, experimental, unusual, overlooked, and test cultivars. Maybe I'm 
crazy, but I'd like to try them all right here. Probably mostly roadside sales.
A local commercial orchard has M26 trees spaced about 9x18 and they look 
too crowded - not enough space to drive through, although that's only 270 
trees per acre.
My questions -
1. What tree size would you recommend? (Yeah, I know some cultivars are 
more vigourous than others).
2. Spacing. With room for tractor.
3. What about Cummins' Geneva rootstocks? I kinda like not having to worry 
so much about fireblight. And where in the world do you get Vineland 1?
4. And, finally, while I'm collecting opinions, any wisdom on growing the 
more northern varieties in the "South".

Dale Burkholder
apple testing addict
Shenandoah Valley, VA
reluctantly admitting I'm in Zone 7 now




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