Ed Wittenbach Belding, Michigan “Hottest variety.” The optimal orchard starts with the hottest variety out there, said Belding, Michigan, grower Ed Wittenbach. While Honeycrisp is currently the hottest variety, that can change, he said. The trees in an optimal orchard are planted on an ideal site, with a planting system to intercept the maximum light. “For me, it’s single row,” he said, adding that he would probably plant about 1,000 trees per acre. “I’d want to put them on wire, with the trees to be central leader on top and wider on the bottom like a Christmas tree.” The orchard […]