Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/298602
If fruit doesn't meet gift grade quality, it may be left on the tree. by Melissa Hansen narrow focus on one variety and one mar- ket makes Bear Creek Orchards, Inc., unique. Although the Medford, Oregon, company faces similar pest, production, and economic challenges as other tree fruit growers, being focused on one variety poses its own set of issues. "We're in our own little world because our mail order market is a little bit apart from most," said Matt Bor- man, director of orchard operations for Bear Creek Orchards, Inc., a subsidiary (and the growing arm) of Harry & David LLC. "With the selection of Comice pears sold under the trademarked name Royal Riviera as our bread-and-butter variety, we have to accept certain management challenges that come with that cultivar." Comice scuff and mark easily, and the variety is low yielding, he explained. "We have all of the common challenges that agricul- ture faces—labor, water, production issues—as well as those that come with growing Comice," Borman said. Few growers produce Comice or have the infrastruc- ture to handle the delicate fruit on a large scale, so out- side sources of Comice are limited. To control quality, the company brought production in house to be able to control everything from start to fi nish. The cultivar russets easily and can have poor fruit fi nish if timing of protective materials is not perfect. "Comice has a smaller crop protection toolbox than other varieties due to sensitivity towards russeting. 32 MAY 1, 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Matt Borman points to where this Comice pear tree will be pruned during dormancy. Trees in this high-density block are kept to a height of 9 to 12 feet to allow light penetration. One variety, ONE MARKET PHOTOS BY TJ MULLINAX Bear Creek Orchards will soon be planting about 100 acres of open ground to Comice pears and Oregold peaches.