Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-06-03
The Shape Of an Apple Tree.
ONE TYPE OF BEN DAVIS GIVES FOUR
TIMES YIELD OF ANOTHER.

In the work Of the Maine Experiment
Station with the apple orchards at High
moor Farm complete growth records
have been kept of each tree. As time
goes on these data will give very valua-
BILE information. A study of the yield
records In three experimental plots
showed marked individual differences.
The recorded descriptions OF these trees
suggested differences in habit of growth
and study In the orchard shows plainly
that the trees in this orchard may be
grouped into three main types. Each
type represents definite conformation
OF the tree with respect TO the manner
in which the branches form the trees
head. No amount Of pruning will
change the shape which these branches
take. 1t is something firmly fixed in the
tree itself.
The average apple yields OF these types
for 1918 were type ], ISIS pounds per
tree, type ii, 81 g pounds per tree, and
type III, 40.S pounds per tree. Each
type tree was consequently of equal
value as far a. apple yield was con-
cerDed to 8 type III trees. Or taken
In another way the dollars and cents
return from type tree was s SS times
as much as for the type III tree and 2 8
times a. much as for the type ii tree.
These differences in yield have been
equally as sharp cut during each of the
past 9 years.
The differences In the types of these
trees briefly summarized are: The type
/ tree has relatively few main or scsffold
limbs. From these main limbs arise
several secondary branches of less size
but likewise vigorous in growth. From
these secondary limbs arise numerous
tertiary branches with many small side
branches each one of which is covered
with fruit spurs. The growth OF this
type is more rapid than Is the growth of
the other types of trees.
The type III tree has scaffold limbs but
they are not as marked as ir the type /.
The secondary and tertiary branches
while numerous are not so noticeable,
tend to 60 up straight in the air, and
have far less fruit spurs. The growth
of this tree is not as rapid as 10 the
growth of type I. /
The type III tree has no pronounced
scsffold branches. The top 10 made mp
of many long slender limbs going straight
up in the air. The fruit spurs are prin-
cipally upon the tips of these branches. |
The growth OF this type Is slow COM
pared with that Of type /.
These trees were set long before High |
moor Farm was purchased by the state
and the Maine Station has no knowledge
of the source of the trees. But these |
types are scattered through the orchard
so that even II the trees were set 10 diff |
ferent years and from different nurseries |
the differences In type hold TOR each lot |
Whether other varieties OF apple trees |
show this tendency to grow in these dif- |
ferent forms has not been studied. But
the point Is q significant one for the
orchardist who may be thinking OF top |
grating his orchard. This is concrete |
illustration of the value of the insistence
that go many orchardists have placed
upon selecting cions from heavy bearing |
trees for top working. And 1t may be
that only ciops from branches of the
fruit bearing type should be used. II
one Is buying new trees obviously stock
grated with tree Of the type l sort
should be had II possible. Even In the
case of nurseryman who Is very con-
scientious as to selling only trees OF
known variety, he may not have exer-
cissd care and Judgment In the selection
Of the tree and parts Of the tree from
which be takes his cions for grating.
The six years trials of these types at
Highmoor Farm make the differences
almost in the ratios of four, two and one.
As crop producer and money yieider
one type I tree is about as valuable as
two type III trees or four type III trees
Chas. D. Woods, Director.