Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/64944
Pick-your-own customers love the tunnels for their uniqueness and because they can make a rainy day a pleasant experience. Brumbley went to England twice to visit Haygrove headquarters and to see how Eng- lish growers are doing things. She went to look at strawberry production and liked the idea of growing cherries under the Haygroves. She planted the cherry trees in three rows in a diamond pattern, six feet between rows and five feet between trees, with an alley along one wall of each bay wide enough for a tractor and airblast sprayer. Each row of trees is watered with a double line of trickle irrigation tubing, buried in the ground. More difficult As the trees have gotten larger, she has found it more difficult to pene- trate the three rows with spray. Last year was a hot, humid year. "It was 95 degrees, and there was no air moving when the fruit was ripe," she said. "We had Botrytis and brown rot for the first time." She thinks the foggy and rainy weather during bloom contributed to that. She's made some adjustments. She originally had close to 1,000 trees, and has taken out about 100 of the weaker ones. She topped the trees to bring them down to eight to ten feet and provide open space and air movement over the top. And she pruned the trees hard to open them up and also encourage fruitful wood. Insects have been no problem. "We use no insecticides—none," she "Actually, we push a whole 900- foot roll to said. "Japanese beetles don't like the tunnels, apparently. Nor has disease been a big issue except for the brown rot last season. The trees are healthy with very little bacterial canker, and, without the foliage getting wet, cherry leaf spot has been no problem at all, and foliage is luxuriant late in the season." Birds were initially a challenge, but the Haygrove structure is easily netted. Netting is put up each year to shutter the ends, gutters, and sidewalls against bird damage. Expert advice Brumbley said she is grateful for the advice she has received from industry experts. Michigan State University horticulturist Dr. Greg Lang, who is studying production of sweet cherries in high tunnels, has visited her operation, and she keeps close tabs on his work. Pruning and managing tree structure has been the biggest challenge. Lang is working on systems that keep trees narrow for good light penetration, leave stubs to prevent tree loss to bacterial canker, and encourage fruitful wood close to the trunk. Right now, she says, she uses a modification of the method recommended by Lang, which has morphed into what she calls "the Molly method." "My trees look really odd right now," she said, having been shortened and pruned hard this spring. She does both dormant and summer pruning. Retired Cornell University cherry breeder Dr. Bob Andersen visited several times and gave her advice on varieties and pollination. She uses bumblebees during bloom, which usually takes place under the covers. Those bees will stay in the tunnels and do the work. She planted all the trees on Gisela 5 rootstock and chose lots of varieties, both to boost pollination and reduce risk. She has Cavalier, Black York, White Gold, Attika, Hedelfingen, Benton, and Lapins. "Attika is my favorite," she said, "but the customers love the White Gold. My varieties were chosen based on winter hardiness, pollination compatibility, and timing of ripen- ing. One of my primary concerns was tree survivability, and I am very pleased. " Almost all the cherries are sold pick-your-own. "The customers love it," she said. "Sev- eral years ago, they were picking inside during pouring-down rain, and they were grate- ful to us that we'd made it so nice for them. They loved the whole experience, and we charged a premium price." • GOOD FRUIT GROWER MAY 15, 2012 17 the top and fold it down both sides." —Molly Brumbley