North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Don Yellman <dyellman@earthlink.net>]

Jerry:

I have had pretty good luck making branch spreaders from hardwood dowels 
or garden stakes, with nails driven into the ends then cut off with a 
lineman's pliers.  If the nails tend to split the ends, they can be 
pre-drilled, or you can try a smaller nail.  The wood can be cut to any 
desired length, and the nails, which are inserted firmly into the limb, 
never seem to be resented by developing trees.  They will hold their 
place through very high winds, and they will last for many years.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA