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The Tall Spindle Could be the Shape of the Future

Ontario apple growers do not have to look too far back in the past for when the word "spindle" was completely new to them. This terminology had its birth place in the higher density plantings found in progressive apple growing areas in Europe. The spindle tree was characterized as a dwarfish tree that was very busy and productive looking and occupying a relatively small volume of space. This look did not fall too far on the heels of what we called a central leader tree, which could be described as state of the art back longer than I care to remember. Today we can still find well managed high yielding central leader orchards in Ontario and the northeast of North America.

All styles of tree design of the last 30 years have one characteristic in common - they employed varying amounts of structural wood or scaffolding framework that was considered to be integral and semi-permanent. Ideally these trees were pyramidal in shape for light distribution benefits and one could easily find branches coming off the main trunk that were 10 cm in diameter. The concept was to build scaffolding as the tree matured and filled its space. Many of these orchards were built to be free standing. Concepts have changed dramatically in the last few years as the vast majority of acreage is now supported and planted to higher density systems

This is in part a response to the need not only for the production of quality fruit as fast as possible but for the need to do it in ways that have the potential to take advantage of cost saving technologies when it comes to managing the crop from pruning to harvest.

When we incorporate the concept of higher density planting with some moderation and compromise on the cost of plant materials and establishment we arrive at what is now being called the tall spindle system. This system is said to be the best alternative to super spindle without the investment associated with setting out 2000 trees per acre. It would almost appear to me to be a hybrid of a traditional axe planting and a super spindle.

Figure 1 - Tying of limbs on well feathered nursery stock below horizontal is a key feature of the tall spindle training system.

The tall spindle orchard has the following characteristics:

• Planting densities of an estimated 1,000-1,200 trees per acre and possibly up to 1500 trees per acre depending on cultivar
• Fully dwarfing rootstocks employed
• Highly feathered nursery trees used
• Bending and tying of feathers as shown in Figure 1 instead of cutting or pruning when planting
• Limb renewal based on a permitted maximum diameter of around 2 cm
• No permanent scaffolding

What does remain to be seen is how some of our new cultivars will fit this type of planting. Scion varieties that are strong and vigorous may not do well in this type of a planting system. Some cultivars are better suited to confinement in this type of system.

Growth regulators may help keep some varieties in their assigned space while for others it may be too costly to keep trees in check at these spacings.

Ultimately the driver for this type of system will be economics and rate of return on investment for the grower. With some interest in the use of mechanical/ platform aids in performing various tasks where workers ride rather than walk and climb, we are going to see more of this type of planting system.

This style of planting will be part of what is now called a revenue driven orchard system as opposed to a cost containment system of management.

Dr. Terrence Robinson and Steve Hoying of Cornell University, New York, have done a lot of work with the tall spindle in comparing it to other systems.