Training Systems for Sweet Cherries. Lynn E. Long Oregon State University

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Sydney Peters
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1 Training Systems for Sweet Cherries Lynn E. Long Oregon State University

2 Changing Expectations Large open vase trees Objectives the same High quality fruit

3 Changing Expectations Need for efficiency increased World market Size Quality Labor availability Increased production costs Looking for new training systems

4 Objectives Objectives of training Good light penetration Encourage fruit size Tree maintenance Pruning Pest & Disease control Ease of harvest

5 Understanding the tree Natural tree Large Vigorous Shy branching Narrow crotch angles Non-precocious Effective system must deal with these characteristics

6 Understanding the tree Leaf to fruit ratio Shoot elongation imperative Need abundance of 30 cm shoots Axillary buds vs. spurs

7 Training system choices Examined Palmate Marchand Tatura trellis Spindle Spanish Bush Open Vase Others

8 Training system requirements Diverse choice Management skills Soil Rootstock Variety High Quality Fruit Simple & inexpensive

10 True pedestrian orchard Easy harvest and maintenance Dwarfing rootstock? Extensive heading cuts Delayed production Bacterial canker Subject to frosts Spanish Bush

11 Vogel Central Leader Precocious system Moderately high density Easy to grow Easy to maintain Good light penetration Dwarfing rootstock necessary

12 Open vase adaptation Low to moderate density Full size rootstocks Production 5 th -6 th leaf Large crop: 7 th or 8 th leaf Large fruit Tall trees Steep Leader

13 System Attributes Growing conditions Steep Leader Spanish Bush Vogel C.L. Good soils X Dwarf rootstocks only Dwarf rootstocks only Poor soils X X X Frosty sites X - X

14 System Attributes Rootstock/ variety Steep Leader Spanish Bush Vogel C.L. Full-size rootstock X Poor soils only - Dwarfing rootstock X X X Precocious variety X X X Precocious/ dwarfing X X -

15 System Attributes Training system characteristics Steep Leader Spanish Bush Vogel C.L. High management skills - X X High early yields - X X Reduced harvest costs - X X

16 3 rd leaf training system trial, Sweetheart Training system Vogel C.L. Steep Leader Spanish Bush Spanish Bush Rootstock Gisela 6 Gisela 6 Gisela 6 Mazzard Yield/tree (kg)

17 4 th leaf training system trial, Sweetheart Training system Rootstock Yield/tree (kg) Fruit Weight (g) Vogel C.L. Gisela Steep Leader Gisela Spanish Bush Gisela Spanish Bush Mazzard

18 Spanish Bush At planting 2.5-3m x 5-6m Head cm Establish branch angles

19 First Summer Spanish Bush

20 Second Spring Spanish Bush

21 Summer Second Leaf Spanish Bush

22 Spanish Bush Maturity Annual Pruning Thin branches (6) Renew fruiting wood Top and hedge Spring pruning Head for fruit size

23 Spanish Bush Maturity Annual Pruning Thin branches Renew fruiting wood (7) Top and hedge Spring pruning Head for fruit size

24 Spanish Bush Maturity Annual Pruning Thin branches Renew fruiting wood Top and hedge (9) Spring pruning Head for fruit size

25 Spanish Bush Maturity Annual Pruning Thin branches Renew fruiting wood Top and hedge Spring pruning Head for fruit size (8)

26 The completed tree Spanish Bush

27 Vogel Central Leader At planting 2.5-4m x 5-6m Head at 1 m

28 Early Spring Vogel Central Leader

29 Vogel Central Leader Second Year to Maturity

30 Vogel Central Leader At Maturity Maintain tree balance Renew branches Maintain tree height

31 Vogel Central Leader At Maturity Maintain tree balance Renew branches Maintain tree height

32 Vogel Central Leader At Maturity Maintain tree balance Renew branches Maintain tree height

33 Vogel Central Leader The completed tree

34 Steep Leader At planting 5-7m x 6-8m Head whip 1 m Establish branch angles

35 Steep Leader First dormant Select leaders Head leaders

36 2nd dormant or spring 2nd leaf Steep Leader

37 Steep Leader Maturity Remove large wood Large, smaller, smallest Leader = spindle Renew wood Establish light paths Remove pendant wood

38 Steep Leader Maturity Remove large wood Large, smaller, smallest Leader = spindle Renew wood Establish light paths Remove pendant wood

39 Steep Leader Maturity Remove large wood Large, smaller, smallest Leader = spindle Renew wood Establish light paths Remove pendant wood

40 Steep Leader Maturity Remove large wood Large, smaller, smallest Leader = spindle Renew wood Establish light paths Remove pendant wood

41 Steep Leader Maturity Maintain height Prune top to weak laterals Single out tips Tip lower branches Maintain pyramid shape

42 Steep Leader Maturity Maintain height Prune top to weak laterals Single out tips Tip lower branches Maintain pyramid shape

43 Steep Leader Maturity Maintain height Prune top to weak laterals Single out tips Tip lower branches Maintain pyramid shape

Pruning Fruit Trees. Develop strong tree structure. This should begin when trees are planted and continue each year thereafter.

Pruning Fruit Trees. Develop strong tree structure. This should begin when trees are planted and continue each year thereafter. Agriculture and Natural Resources Pruning Fruit Trees Extension Horticulture Arkansas Is Our Campus Visit our web site at: http://www.uaex.edu Fruit trees should be pruned every year to maintain their