Dwarf Apples

Dwarf apples generally won't stand on their own.  And in NW Iowa where the wind blows hard most days, that means some type of support system is required for dwarf apples.

We started out by measuring, measuring some more, and finally measuring a little more, to determine where the new rows for the orchard would be placed.  Then we sunk some posts that are about 10' out of the ground.  Then we sunk some short posts into the ground and left about a foot out of the ground to act as a strainer against the long posts.  Next we ran a strait line between the posts and measured out for flagging where the trees would go.  We decided to go 4' between trees.  That gives each tree 2' of branch growth.  Finally we used our Bobcat skid loader to drill the holes.  Then, stretching high tensile between the posts, we were ready to put the new trees in.  Once the trees were in we ran irrigation lines and emitters to the trees and finally we strung the high tensile with strainers and line posts.  It took about 2 days to plant the trees and get the waterline and the trellis system up.  We did end up with about 10 trees off the trellis in the last row.  Those we ended up attaching to pieces of rebar.  Eventually these will be attached to either trellis, or we'll switch to better posts.