This manual shows the orchardist step-by-step how to develop and train the branchless multi–leader apple tree.
The manual can be followed by unskilled orchard workers.
The branchless multi–leader apple tree is a relatively new training system in Australia and will be progressively updated.
Topics covered in the manual
What are the problems with branches?
- A: Branch manipulation
- B: Angles and sizes of branches and limbs
- C: Angles and positions of branches and limbs
- D: Branches & limbs with different growth habits
- E: Dormant heading cuts create vigour
- F: Bent branches and sunburn of apples
Benefits of a branchless multi-leader tree
Different parts of a branchless tree
- What are fruiting units?
- Fruiting units of branchless multi-leader trees
- What is a spur?
- What are vegetative spurs?
- What are reproductive or fruiting spurs?
- What is known about spur leaves?
- What role do shoot leaves play?
- What are axillary and terminal buds?
- Not all floral buds are the same
Making good use of sunlight
Upright vs Angled canopies
How many leaders per tree?
Choice of rootstock & suggestions
Branchless two–leader trees on an upright trellis and on Open Tatura
Tree training: First year — two leaders per tree
- Planting
- Leader selection
- Guiding the leaders up the strings
- Materials for canopy & tree support
- Remove any sylleptic shoots
- Remove any new shoots
- Select leaders of equal size
- Maximise canopy surface area
- Using two branches developed in the nursery
Tree Training: Year 2 — give the head a good start
- De-blossom and de-fruit the trees
- Controlled canopy development
- Create fruiting units,force growth of new shoots
- Support the leaders
- Canopy development
Tree Training: Year 2 — the bench cut
The dormant 2-year-old tree: Leaders are dressed with young fruiting units
How to deal with a few semi-strong shoots to become fruiting units
Plant polliniser trees
The branchless four-leader tree
Tree Training: Year 3 — for trees with two or four leaders
- STEP 1: Create fruiting units in the upper part of the leaders with a foliar spray of Cytolin
- STEP 2: Pluck the apical portion of the leaders
- STEP 3: Score
Prune trees in winter to consistently maintain high yields of target fruit NEW
- Renewal pruning
- The 1,2,3, rule
- Artificial spur extinction, a type of spur pruning
- Spur trimming, a type of spur pruning
How many apples to leave on young trees after thinning
- 1. Predict potential crop load from tree size
- 2. Predict potential crop load from the interception of sunlight by trees
- 3. Thin fruit and monitor fruit growth
Benchmarks for marketable yields
Thinking of grafting-over?
Tree nutrition
Replacing nutrient losses from harvested fruit
Nitrogen for branchless apple trees
Calcium: in the soil, tree and fruit
Crop load management: pruning and thinning
- Pruning
- Thinning
What happens to trees after harvest?
What causes biennial bearing?
What is water core?
Avoid skin russet
How do apples turn red or pink?
- Sunlight
- Temperature
Sunburn symptoms and control
Hail net
- The benefits of hail net
- Crop load
- Bee activity
- Type of hail net/structure/shape
- Colour of net
Water & stress
When are apples ready to harvest - Nine maturity tests
Six steps to prepare soil before planting
- STEP 1. Have your soils tested
- STEP 2. Grade your block (if necessary)
- STEP 3. Apply lime, gypsum, rip and cultivate the soil
- STEP 4. Hill up the surface soil
- STEP 5. Sow ryegrass or let weeds develop
- STEP 6. Spray out ryegrass or weeds before planting
Soil organic matter
How useful is a soil test?
