Organism
Apple Tree
TL;DR
Fruit tree with wide branching angles (60-90°) indicating weak apical dominance, with lateral branches growing nearly horizontal to maximize canopy spread.
Fruit tree with wide branching angles (60-90°) indicating weak apical dominance, with lateral branches growing nearly horizontal to maximize canopy spread. Optimal in open orchards where light is abundant. Orchardists manipulate branching by training (tying branches down) - a branch forced horizontal produces 3-5× more fruiting spurs than growing vertical. Fruit trees pruned annually produce 2-5× more fruit than unpruned trees.
Notable Traits of Apple Tree
- Wide branching angle (60-90°)
- Responds to training
- 3-5× fruiting increase when trained horizontal
- 2-5× fruit with annual pruning