Issues in Orchard Establishment

• Site Selection• Orchard Design• Site Preparation• Scion/Rootstock

Selection• Orchard Economics

Orchard Site Selection

• Average temperature*– Avoid extreme highs and lows– Avoid winter fluctuation– *Most important factor during

cultivar selection

• Spring frost dates– Techniques to avert damage

• Overhead irrigation• Trunk wrapping/painting

• Other Factors…• Precipitation & Timing• Relative Humidity• Light (photoperiod)• Well drained soil• 4’-5’ of rooting depth

Orchard Site Selection continued• Close proximity to water may

alleviate wide temperature fluctuation

• Elevation, slope, aspect also play a major part

• Soil Fertility (CEC), texture, structure need to be addressed

• Water Table Height– TREES HATE WET FEET!

Stage of development 10% kill (°F) 90% kill (°F)

Apples a

Silver tip 15 2

Green tip 18 10

1/2-inch green 23 15

Tight cluster 27 21

First pink 28 24

Full pink 28 25

First bloom 28 25

Full bloom 28 25

Post bloom 28 25

Frost damage

Problems with “wet feet”

Orchard Design

Central Leader

V-system on trellising

Slender Spindle

Rootstocks

• Older rootstock Mark (Mk. Or MAC-9) 70% the size of M9

• Per acre yield decreases as individual tree size increases• Smaller varieties may require addition management strategies

Pollenization Overview

• Apple: Cross-pollination is always needed to produce an adequate fruit crop.

• Have a bloom period that overlaps that of the variety to be pollinated.

• Have a diploid chromosome make-up.

• Produce viable pollen. • Be grown in close

proximity to the variety to be pollinated.

Pollenization continued…

Orchard Soil Nutrient Management

• pH should be maintained around 6.5 – 7.0

• Nitrogen is usually the limiting factor in orchard production (not in most VT orchards)

• Multiple elemental deficiencies are common

• Fertilization will NOT cure problems caused by biotic factors or stress

• Assess your problem prior to implementing a solution!

Soil Conditions

• Problems:• < 5.3

– Bark measles due to excess Mn– Ca and Mg deficiencies become more acute– N and K become less available– Al can build up to become toxic

Soil Conditions

• Problems:• >6.5

– B, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe uptake seriously reduced

Nitrogen usage during season

Fertility8Calcium deficiency

Fertility8Zn deficiency

Fertility

8Mg deficiencies

Fertility8Boron deficiency

8Boron toxicity

Orchard Economics

• Orchard Proximity to markets and processors

• Shipping Costs v.s. Direct Marketing– 80% of consumer dollar goes

to marketing, 20% to grower

• Storage – On-Site Storage– Off-Site i.e. “Cooperative”

• Startup Costs • Time until you reach “break

even” production status

Orchard economics cont…

• Equipment requirements– Pre-existing v.s. purchased

• Leased equipment may be the way to go if you envision expanding past system requirements within 5~10 years

• Purchasing used equipment eliminates depreciation

• Other considerations…– Dealer proximity– Service & support– Parts availability & cost

Further economics• Fixed Production Costs

– Trees, equipment, etc.• Variable Costs

– LABOR!!!, pest control• Further issues

VT Orchard acreage ~ 4259CA Orchard acreage ~ 31,000WA Orchard acreage ~ 172,000

• Size recommendations– 100~200 for shipping– Smaller for PYO

• Price return estimates– PYO ~$6,000 ($1/qt)– Roadside market ~ $9,600 ($1.6/qt)– Local wholesale ~ $7,200 ($1.2/qt)

Proper planting

• When to plant?– Spring

• If trees are bare- root• Late April or May

– Fall• If trees are in containers

Proper planting• Never let the roots dry out

– Soak roots of bare-root trees 1-3 hrs before planting

• Hole should twice as large as the root system

• If putting any soil amendment, mix with soil that will be used to refill the hole

• Do not use any fertilizer at planting time• Manure not recommended due to possible

contamination

Proper planting

• Prune roots• Graft union should be 2”-3” above the soil

line• Pack the soil gently,but firmly• Stake dwarf trees• Place mouse guard at base of tree• “Head back” to about 36” tall

Heading cut at planting