North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Dave Griffin" <griffingardens@earthlink.net>]

My test row of 45 peaches do surprisingly well planted in a double row 3' x
3', i.e., plant the first row 3' apart then the second row 3' away but on
the bias so the second row trees are between the trees in the first row
rather than directly across from them. The tendency to grow straight up and
into each other on their common sides can be controlled with aggressive
pruning and you end up with the equivalent of a loose hedge (you can walk
down the center between the rows) with good exposure on the top of the tree
and on one side. Not for production, but you get to sample a decent amount
of different kinds of fruit. Other advantages are that a little fertilizer,
water, and mulch or other weed control goes a long way compared to what it
would be for individual trees, and you get wind protection from a strength
in numbers standpoint. This would be a very useful method for dry and windy
areas as well as where space is limited. Production/tree could be
significantly increased with just a little more distance between trees, say
4'-5' between, while still retaining most of the benefits and reducing some
of the pruning labor.

Dave


> [Original Message]
> From: Stephen Sadler <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>
> To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Date: 1/19/06 11:37:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Four to a hole?
>
> 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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