Last March, at the Cornell Apple Summit on Precision Cropload Management, we learned techniques to more accurately achieve the desired cropload for our yield goals. In 2013, we field tested 2 of these techniques: Precision pruning in March, and in May, the Fruitlet Growth model to predict how many fruitlets will drop after a chemical thinner. Both techniques gave good information for further management decisions on cropload.

After a heavy crop in most areas in 2013, there could be a smaller set of fruit buds for 2014. Of course, this will depend on many factors including cultivar, tree age and health, and last year's weather. Using Precision Pruning can still be useful this year, and in fact, may be more important to do earlier - before any pruning is done.

The first step is to determine how many fruit buds you need for your yield goals. Here is a chart that compares three common systems in Ontario - for each of your blocks, you should develop a similar chart:

Orchard system Tall Spindle Slender Spindle Conventional
Yield goal
1500 bu/acre
1000 bu/acre
800 bu/ac
Tree density
1000 trees/ac
622 trees/ac
145 trees/ac
Tree spacing
11 x 4'
14 x 5'
20 x 15'
Yield per tree
1.5 bu/tree
1.6 bu/tree
5.5 bu/tree
Fruit per tree (100 count)
150 fruit/tree
160 fruit/tree
550 fruit/tree
Branches per tree
24
12
12
Fruit per branch
6-7
13-14
44-46
Buds needed*
12-14
26-28
88-92

*Includes an insurance factor of 2 to ensure that enough buds set. This should be varied by cultivar (eg. 2.5 for Honeycrisp, Jonagold; 2.0 for Empire, McIntosh: 1.8 for Gala)

The next step is to carefully look at fruit buds in each block. In mid-winter, it is harder to differentiate between fruit and leaf buds. Look at the spur structure, where apples were picked last year. Bring some buds inside to slice open - with a good hand lens, you can see floral parts.

If your crop potential is light, prune a demonstration tree and do a final bud count. If needed, adjust your pruning to leave more fruiting area.

If your crop potential is heavier, remove more large branches with fruiting buds. Reducing crop in the dormant stage results in the biggest increase in fruit size. The energy is directed to fruit size rather than setting too many fruit. Reducing your crop load through pruning is a win-win situation.