MSU Extension Horticultural Agent Phil Schwallier explains how the venerable process of hedging apple trees is seeing a resurgence on western Michigan’s Fruit Ridge. Decades ago the process of sawing back the limbs of conventional-size apple trees was often “a disaster,” Schwallier explains, that led to overly vigorous growth. But with today’s trellised dwarf trees, the process is finding new success, resulting in better light penetration, fruit color and flowering.
