Experiments on the 'Pillar' system were started nearly twenty years ago by Mr. Gordon A. Maclean to find a really practical way of growing apple trees in the form of 'hedges'. It is to him that I owe the main bulk or the notes that follow-though we have a pillar orchard at Thaxted.
The result of pruning the 3rd-year lateral back hard is that a new lateral growth will be formed from the short snag the following season so as to start 'the pruning cycle' all over again.
Once they have reached their predetermined height they never alter in shape or size throughout the whole life of the orchard. The exact height and width of the tree is known before the orchard is planted and so it is possible to plan in advance how to make full use of the available machinery to carry out the routine work.
The system involves a planting density of 600-750 trees to the acre, the optimum planting distance being 5 feet between the trees in the rows and 12 feet between the rows. The trees are usually allowed to grow to a height of 12 feet. The individual 'pillar' tree consists of an upright central stem forming the framework from which radiate the various lateral growths (there are no side branches whatever). The framework is built up to form an upright, rigid and permanent support for the fruit without requiring any additional support, at any time in its life.
The pruning of the young 'Pillar' tree is also very simple: 1st Winter. The pruning is done immediately after the tree is planted. The maiden (one-year-old) tree is pruned back to about 30 inches from ground level and any 'feathers' or side growths that may be present are cut back to within inch of the main stem.
When the orchard is three years of age it will be grassed down, and once the grass is grown it will be kept cut regularly once a fortnight from April to October.
The result of pruning the 3rd-year lateral back hard is that a new lateral growth will be formed from the short snag the following season so as to start 'the pruning cycle' all over again.
Once they have reached their predetermined height they never alter in shape or size throughout the whole life of the orchard. The exact height and width of the tree is known before the orchard is planted and so it is possible to plan in advance how to make full use of the available machinery to carry out the routine work.
The system involves a planting density of 600-750 trees to the acre, the optimum planting distance being 5 feet between the trees in the rows and 12 feet between the rows. The trees are usually allowed to grow to a height of 12 feet. The individual 'pillar' tree consists of an upright central stem forming the framework from which radiate the various lateral growths (there are no side branches whatever). The framework is built up to form an upright, rigid and permanent support for the fruit without requiring any additional support, at any time in its life.
The pruning of the young 'Pillar' tree is also very simple: 1st Winter. The pruning is done immediately after the tree is planted. The maiden (one-year-old) tree is pruned back to about 30 inches from ground level and any 'feathers' or side growths that may be present are cut back to within inch of the main stem.
When the orchard is three years of age it will be grassed down, and once the grass is grown it will be kept cut regularly once a fortnight from April to October.
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