Limb Positioning

Manipulating the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth (fruit production) is key to successful fruit-tree management. Several aspects are integral to this relationship: orchard soil, fertilization, irrigation, rootstock, cultivar, tree age, tree spacing, pruning, etc. All tree-fruit growers are concerned with these factors and often attempt to manipulate them in such a way as to enhance productivity. As orchard intensification occurs, these factors and others which can alter the relationship between vegetative growth and fruit production become much more important.