An apple tree shaping and spacing experiment

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Abstract
Summary Results are presented from a ten-year trial with Cox’s Orange Pippin apple trees on M.25 rootstocks pruned either by the regulated method (spreading trees) or to the Hawke’s Bay form (tall trees). Both tree forms were grown at two tree spacings, either close (18 × 20 ft) or wide (20 × 24 ft). There were no compensating benefits arising from the more laborious method of securing the tall trees with four central leaders, and at ten years, spreading trees had given a 25 % greater total crop. Supporting data were obtained from the two pollinator varieties, Worcester Pearmain and Egremont Russet, also on M.25. These varieties yielded 38 and 24% more fruit respectively when grown as spreading trees than as tall ones. Tree spacing had no effect upon tree size and cropping, neither did a subsidiary trial comparing branch leaders either defruited down to three-year-old wood or allowed to fruit. Acreage yields at the two spacings are discussed.

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