[NAFEX] Opinions on tree size and spacing

Ken Harnad harnad at ntelos.net
Fri Sep 13 13:59:54 EDT 2002


Hello Dale,
I live here also in the Valley and have planted or am in the midst of
planting an orchard.  Why don't you write me at harnad at ntelos.net to
discuss.  My phone number is 540.649.1891.  regards, ken harnad
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dale Burkholder" <dburk at planetcomm.net>
To: <nafex at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 11:41 AM
Subject: [NAFEX] Opinions on tree size and spacing


> 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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