Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/506700
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER MAY 15, 2015 41 to 60 feet, and is non-precocious so it can establish a competitive "footprint" in the forest before shifting resources to fruiting. All growers face the challenge of managing sweet cherry so that the tree remains small, generates branches at the desired locations, and begins producing fruit by the second or third leaf, they write. It is vitally important that trees pro- duce an abundance of new shoots about two feet long every year because the largest and best quality cherries are pro- duced at the base of the previous year's growth and on young spurs. The guide's authors steer growers toward the best rootstock size for the system they choose. There are several to choose from. Mazzard, Mahaleb, and Colt are vigorous. Gisela 6 and 12, Krymsk 5, MaxMa 14, and CAB6P are semi-vigorous. Gisela 5 and Krymsk 6 are semi-dwarfing. Gisela 3 is dwarfing. • UPRIGHT FRUITING OFFSHOOTS T he Upright Fruiting Offshoots (UFO) system was developed to simplify training, pruning, and crop load management; use the sweet cherry's natural upright growth habit and manage vigor by establishing multiple vertical struc- tural fruiting units (number of vertical units should be proportional to tree vigor); optimize input efficiencies (e.g., light, labor, agrochemicals) and achieve high, uniform light distribution to fruiting sites; and facilitate the adoption of orchard mechanization and automation technologies. At maturity, the UFO system yields a planar fruiting wall architecture that is precocious, productive, and simple to maintain. Each tree comprises a perma- nent single horizontal trunk (or cordon) from which renewable fruiting leaders grow vertically. Fruit are borne predominantly on spurs but also at the base of 1-year-old shoots, all on vertical wood. The UFO system may be configured to a single vertical wall or dual-angled Y system (with each plane 30 degrees off vertical). Both require trellising (about five wires per plane). UFO training may be used to establish a pedestrian orchard, though higher yields in the single vertical wall can be achieved by maintaining a tree height about 20 percent taller than the between-row spacing. Establishing the UFO system is straightforward with little to no pruning required at planting. It can be planted on various rootstocks and spacings. VOGEL CENTRAL LEADER T he Vogel central leader system requires little establishment prun- ing because it takes advantage of the inherent central leader nature of the young cherry tree. Minimal pruning, a modest growth rate due to dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks, minimal fertilization during establishment, and an intermediate planting density result in relatively high early yields. Without additional manipulation, a vigorous rootstock will produce a very tall tree on this system. The "Christmas tree" shape promotes good light distribution throughout the canopy, and fruiting wood is renewed on a regular basis with this system. Spacing can be 6 to 9 feet in the row and 13 to 16 feet between rows. Helicopter Aerial Spraying SERVICES: • Farm Ground / Crop Land "Crop-dusting" • Noxious Weeds in Pastures and Rangeland • Water Ways, Marshes, Lakes, and Ponds • Aerial Seeding and Fertilizing • Fruit Orchards • Timber and Forestry • Cherry Drying Providing excellence in precision aerial applications throughout the Pacific Northwest. CALL FOR A QUOTE! 208-743-5411 Office 208-790-1122 Doug Lohman MORE INFO AT www.LohmanHelicopter.com LOW. SLOW. ACCURATE. Minimize drift, maximize yields and profits. MARCHANT LADDERS, INC. Quality Ladders Since 1978 509-882-1912 Grandview, Washington Heavy Duty Top Bracket Heavy Duty Bottom Step Extra support on longer steps, all steps 3" wide • Buy factory direct • BEST ladder at the BEST price • Available 6 to 16 foot Built of sturdy, lightweight ALUMINUM— Specifically for agriculture "The Standard for the Serious Orchardist"