Slotting saw pruning of hedgerow apples improves production and quality

Abstract

Semi-dwarf and dwarf apple trees have many production advantages, the most important of which is bearing at an earlier age and greater production per unit of space in the orchard. The latter is probably due to the fact that the smaller the tree the more surface is exposed to sunlight per unit of tree volume. Thus, more reserve photo-synthate is available for fruit production above that used for tree growth.