Apple Tree Branch Support Systems

Trees with vertical branches literally can snap in half under the weight of a few.

Apple tree branch support systems.

Welcome to a new video at last. If only a few of the branches need to be supported you can use stakes that are set 2 to 3 feet out. Strong winds can take down even tall sturdy trees but sometimes wind damage causes a tree to lean precariously instead of pushing it all the way to the ground. Anyway with apple harvest fast approaching and apples swelling up ni.

Trees on dwarf rootstocks must be supported to keep trees upright. Support for leaning trees. Sometimes it s necessary to support the branches of trees that are laden with fruit in order to keep the branches from breaking. How to support fruit tree branches.

Generally only a young tree will require this since fruit should be thinned earlier in the season to an amount that a healthy branch can support. Many dwarf rootstocks also produce relatively shallow brittle root systems and are prone to being uprooted in severe storms. Internet has been down for two weeks. Support systems for apple trees.

Generally only a young tree will require this since fruit should be thinned earlier in the season to an amount that a healthy branch can support. Optimum layout and design for 11 ft rows 10 ft trees are best for sunlight penetration for 10 ft rows 9 ft trees are best 500 ft rows reduces end post loads and simplifies field work travel don t use any 10 ft posts. Branches with narrow crotches the area where the limb is attached to the main trunk are weaker than branches where the crotch supports a branch that extends at a 90 degree angle. Prune away unhealthy branches.

Apple trees are particularly tricky to grow because of the weight of their fruit. Fruit trees such as pear plum peach and apple trees need regular pruning to create strong branches that can support a heavy fruit load. Even 12 ft is often too short increasing post depth 33 increases overturning. The important components of this system as robinson lists them are.

Only 12 14 or 16 ft otherwise posts just can t be placed deep enough. 1 high planting densities 2 dwarfing rootstocks 3 highly feathered nursery trees 4 minimal pruning at planting 5 bending feathers and branches below horizontal 6 no permanent scaffold branches and 7 limb renewal pruning to remove and renew branches as they get too.