Limb Spreaders
Picture 1
In the first picture below you see a template of a tree limb spreader (just above the 12 inch ruler) from Bob Purvis that I used as a template to make additional tree spreaders. Above the template are some similar tree limb spreaders made out of a 2” x 6” red wood board 12” long. They can be made out of any wood that is free of knots. Although any kind of wood free of knots could be used, it is easier to cut through soft woods such as cedar, redwood, or pine. Although the 12” spreader is probably the size you will most frequently use, it is a good idea to also make up some 6”, 9”, 15”, and 18” spreaders as well.
In the first picture below you see a template of a tree limb spreader (just above the 12 inch ruler) from Bob Purvis that I used as a template to make additional tree spreaders. Above the template are some similar tree limb spreaders made out of a 2” x 6” red wood board 12” long. They can be made out of any wood that is free of knots. Although any kind of wood free of knots could be used, it is easier to cut through soft woods such as cedar, redwood, or pine. Although the 12” spreader is probably the size you will most frequently use, it is a good idea to also make up some 6”, 9”, 15”, and 18” spreaders as well.
Picture 2 Here is a view from the end that shows the “V” that has been cut out with the band saw.
Picture 3 Another view of "V" from above. Then I took the board with the “V” cut on both ends to the table saw and ran it through and slicked off ¼ “ thick tree spreading sticks (see the first picture above for view of final result).
Alternatives:
Above, I showed how to make the limb spreading sticks using a combination of a band saw to cut the “V” on each end and the table saw to cut the ¼ inch thick strips. However, limb spreading sticks can be made with a single saw.
1. Table Saw – you can cut the “V” by tilting the blade to 45 degrees and then cutting ¼ inch thick strips with the blade returned to the upright position.
2. Band Saw – you can cut the “V” using the band saw on each end and then you can cut the 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 inch material into ¼ inch thick limb spreading sticks. You can also use a band saw to cut a “V” in lath.
3. Scroll Saw – you can get lath or other similar thin material approximately ¼ inch thick and cut it into 1 foot lengths and then cut a “V” one at a time.
4. Jig Saw – you can also use a jig saw to cut lath or similar material just like you can using a scroll saw.
The end product of all of these approaches to making tree limb spreaders is create strong limbs at the correct angle to provide a scaffold for productive fruit bearing.
You can purchase precut wooden spreaders by googling “limb spreaders.” Some of these have a small nail inserted at the bottom of the “V” to keep the spreader in place
Above, I showed how to make the limb spreading sticks using a combination of a band saw to cut the “V” on each end and the table saw to cut the ¼ inch thick strips. However, limb spreading sticks can be made with a single saw.
1. Table Saw – you can cut the “V” by tilting the blade to 45 degrees and then cutting ¼ inch thick strips with the blade returned to the upright position.
2. Band Saw – you can cut the “V” using the band saw on each end and then you can cut the 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 inch material into ¼ inch thick limb spreading sticks. You can also use a band saw to cut a “V” in lath.
3. Scroll Saw – you can get lath or other similar thin material approximately ¼ inch thick and cut it into 1 foot lengths and then cut a “V” one at a time.
4. Jig Saw – you can also use a jig saw to cut lath or similar material just like you can using a scroll saw.
The end product of all of these approaches to making tree limb spreaders is create strong limbs at the correct angle to provide a scaffold for productive fruit bearing.
You can purchase precut wooden spreaders by googling “limb spreaders.” Some of these have a small nail inserted at the bottom of the “V” to keep the spreader in place
Twigeeze Plastic Limb Spreaders
Last Fall when we were in Hood River, Oregon, I visited the Ace Hardware store on the South end of town to look over all the orchard supply stuff they carry (best source in town). They had some spreaders called Twigeeze that were made of plastic and colored bright red (easy to find them on the ground if the blow out). I have been using them this spring and they are terrific. They stay in place. I’m impressed and ordered some from Amazon. There are other places that have Twigeeze, but I have Prime so the shipping wasn’t as bad as with other suppliers.
Twigeeze come in 3”, 6”, 9”, 12”, 15”, and 18”
Last Fall when we were in Hood River, Oregon, I visited the Ace Hardware store on the South end of town to look over all the orchard supply stuff they carry (best source in town). They had some spreaders called Twigeeze that were made of plastic and colored bright red (easy to find them on the ground if the blow out). I have been using them this spring and they are terrific. They stay in place. I’m impressed and ordered some from Amazon. There are other places that have Twigeeze, but I have Prime so the shipping wasn’t as bad as with other suppliers.
Twigeeze come in 3”, 6”, 9”, 12”, 15”, and 18”