Spacing is 5 to 8 feet between trees and 11 to 14 feet between rows. The tall spindle axe is a training system well-suited for dwarfing to semi-vigorous rootstocks, or vigorous rootstocks on weak soils, since growth is comprised primarily of lateral shoots of moderate vigor borne on a single vertical leader. Annual renewal of the oldest fruiting branches so that the only permanent structure is the central leader. Annual heading of lateral shoots to balance leaf-to-fruit ratios and future crop loads The system is further differentiated by two key concepts: However, this system modifies the natural branching habit, replacing annual tiers of four to five strong lateral branches with a continuously spiraled whorl of moderately vigorous lateral branches, preferably forming about 10 or more per year during canopy development, to ultimately form a conical “Christmas tree” shape. The tall spindle axe tree canopy takes advantage of the sweet cherry tree’s natural tendency to develop a central leader. The low production capacity per tree is compensated for by the high planting density. This results in a favorable fruit-to-leaf ratio that yields good fruit size and quality. Instead of producing fruit on spurs with multiple small flower buds, it utilizes the solitary large flower buds at the base of one-year-old shoots. The production habit of this system is significantly different from other systems. The most important variety characteristic is the capacity to produce fruit on basal buds of one-year-old shoots. Varieties with good vigor, upright growth habits, and the ability to produce lateral shoots are preferred. In the case of low vigor sites or self-fertile varieties, it may be possible to use more vigorous, precocious rootstocks, such as Gisela 6 or Gisela 12.
The super slender axe system needs dwarfing and precocious rootstocks such as Gisela 5 and Gisela 3. The system requires a trellis to support the trees, which have a small trunk diameter and are planted 20 to 40 inches apart in rows 10 to 11.5 feet apart. Also called the super spindle axe, the super slender axe was developed as a modification of the spindle to gain greater control of tree growth.
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