Training Tall Spindle Trees - Year 3-5
By the end of the second year, a Tall Spindle tree should reach the top wire, with a full set of fruitful scaffolds developed from feathers (Figure 1). The tree should be secured to a permanent trellis, and the sod middles, weed-free strip, and irrigation system should be in place.
In Year 3:
- Remove shoots competing with the leader. Weaker shoots on the upper half of the leader can be pinched back.
- Secure the leader along its length to the trellis or training stake (Figure 2).
- Secure some of the scaffolds along the wire to prevent wind twisting.
- Remove all vigorous suckers on the scaffolds.
- Simplify, columnarize or singulate all scaffolds by removing forked tips.
- Remove low scaffolds that interfere with weed spraying or mowing.
- Remove overly-vigorous scaffolds, leaving a renewal stub (Figure 3).
- Hand thin fruits to singles, about 4-6” apart. Yield target is 350-500 bu/ac.
In Years 4-5:
- Leader should be well established and fruiting. After the crop has pulled leaders over, renew to a single side branch – but not before! (Figure 4).
- Large scaffold branches can be removed, especially in the upper half of the tree. Remove 1-3 scaffolds each year, always leaving a renewal stub. Follow the 50% diameter rule. Branches should fruit for 3-6 years (Figure 5).
- Simply all remaining scaffolds (remove forked ends).
- Remove broken branches, strong uprights, weak hanging branches, and root suckers.
- Remove low branches interfering with herbicide applications.
- Use chemical thinners to maintain fruit size and return bloom. Yield targets are 50 bins/acre (Year 4), and 65 bins/acre (Year 5 and onward).
- Keep insects and diseases under control, and maintain a weed-free strip.
- Be diligent during bloom, or with rattail bloom, to apply streptomycin when MaryBlyt or Cougar Blight predicts the need.
- Irrigate or water as necessary, usually every 7-10 days unless it rains.
- Discourage deer or rodent feeding with fencing or other deterrents.
A 5-year old Tall Spindle tree should fully fill its space with fruiting wood spread across the 2-10 foot area. Terminals should grow 6-12” each year, including the leader. Wait until the leader is pulled over by crop, then prune to a weaker upright. All fruiting scaffolds will eventually be removed, so scaffolds are always from 3 to 8 years old. Sunlight should penetrate through the tree to the orchard floor and all fruiting spurs should receive sunlight. Your tree is ready to produce.
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