North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

Dave Wilson nurseries, which has the information on planting 2 to 4 trees
closely together, advises that one be careful to match vigor.  They find the
method a successful way to increase the number of varieties in small home
orchards.

Stephen Sadler, Ph.D.

USDA 9, AHS heat zone 8, 

Sacramento CA - Mediterranean climate

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Charles Paradise
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 6:05 PM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Four to a hole?

My two cents:

some plants like HYBRID PLUMS and those PEARS with less attractive nectar
should be considered for multiple trees per hole. 

Multiple authors like Ken Parr and John Bunker have reported greater hybrid
plum set when branches overlap.  It follows that a direct way to attain
overlapping branches is multiple trees per hole.

4 per hole?  Well frankly they all 4 probably won't survive:  because
there'll be so much difference in vigor between different varieties some
will overgrow the other.   Plant 4:  end up with 2:  2 may increase
pollination on hard to pollinate trees.

Charlie Paradise
in Massachusetts we figure its just easier to dig 1 hole than 4
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