MOPUP-The Massachusetts Orchard Production Upgrade Program and what we have learned about planting and managing tall-spindle orchards

Massachusetts apple orchards have a long history of providing locally grown fruit, and a visit to an apple orchard is a fall tradition for many residents. But, increased land prices, development pressure, difficulty finding labor, and higher costs of fuel, fertilizers, and crop protection chemicals mean that Massachusetts apple growers must adopt new technologies to remain profitable so that the benefits of locally grown food and open space preservation provided by Massachusetts orchards can be sustainable. Unfortunately, however, with a statewide production average of just two hundred 40 lb. bushels of apples per acre in 2006 (NASS, 2006), Massachusetts apple growers may not be production- efficient enough to remain sustainable and truly profitable. In fact, and admittedly for more than one reason, from 1997 to 2002 apple orchard acreage has declined by 20% in Massachusetts. The need to adopt new orchard production technologies that will improve production, profitability, and pest management efficiency is an increasing necessity. For example, the 'tall spindle' apple production system which utilizes high tree densities on dwarf rootstocks and minimal pruning is capable of producing 700-800 bushels of high quality (McIntosh) fruit in the 4th leaf (four years from planting) and may be the most profitable system for Massachusetts apple growers. (NYFQ, 2006.) But, the high cost of planting a new tall-spindle apple orchard - upwards of $17,000 or more per acre - has been a significant barrier to Massachusetts growers who may be unwilling to take the risk to be 'early adopters.'