BUENA — State cherry farmers expect their crop to continue to break harvest records in the coming years, prompting a rethinking of harvesting techniques.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reported that the Northwest cherry industry harvested more than 23 million boxes of cherries in 2012.
Because of the expected growth, Washington State University horticulturalist Matt Whiting said cherry farmers can adopt techniques used by apple growers.
“We are looking for that next generation of orchard systems and what growers can do to become more profitable and sustainable,” Whiting said.
Whiting organized a tour Thursday showcasing new tree-training systems for cherry growers — techniques their apple-growing counterparts have long used. The aim is to marry the systems with rootstocks and cherry varieties that make growers more efficient and profitable.
The tour, which attracted about 50 growers, looked at three systems used by grower Ray Wolverton on orchards ranging in age from one to seven years. The most well-known of the systems is called “upright fruiting offshoots.”
All three systems involve the Early Robin cherry variety, a blush variety similar to the more famous Rainier. Early robin is rapidly gaining popularity among growers in the state because it ripens earlier and hits the market sooner.
The upright fruiting offshoots system trains the growth of the trunk and branches. Under the concept, the trees are planted at a 45-degree angle and the trunk is trained along a low wire. Branches grow vertically, taking advantage of a cherry tree’s inclination to grow upright where the best fruit is produced. The system creates a wall of fruit, making pruning and harvest easier.
The systems use dwarfing rootstocks to keep trees small and allow more trees per acre. Smaller trees make pruning and spraying easier and harvesting more efficient by eliminating the need for large ladders that have to be moved regularly.
Some of that increased efficiency likely will come with mechanical harvesting, an advancement Whiting said could be a reality within the next few years. Researchers are developing a harvest technique that gently shakes the tree to release the fruit, which is then caught below.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.