Are We Moving Rapidly Enough To Small Apple Trees? To remain competitive and reduce pesticide use, growers are exploring this non-traditional way to grow fruit

摘要

IN this age of global competition and intense demands for environmental safety, can the U.S. remain competitive without moving more rapidly to small-tree, high-density orchards? Although great strides have been made in reducing tree size through dwarfing rootstocks, the U.S. apple industry is still based largely on medium-height to large trees, at moderate- to low-tree density. This contrasts with Europe, where intensive orchards with true dwarf trees are widespread.