HORT 413 Tree Fruit Production

Planning an orchard, site selection, orchard design and establishment

1. Planning an orchard

Historically, what has been the most important factor influencing the location and distribution of fruit orchards?

Is this more or less important today, and why?

Most temperate fruit production is located between 30-50° latitude. The reasons for this are climatic especially in terms of:

• winter temperatures
• length of growing season
• spring temperatures
• temperature during growing season
• light during growing season

Climate also affects the pest and disease complex.

Many advantages of being located in a fruitgrowing area:

Also some advantages in being isolated from other orchards

Site selection

Soils

Elevation

Bodies of water

Light

Latitude

Rainfall

Slopes

Hilltops and ridges

Wind

Proximity to markets

Proximity to wooded areas

Others? rural/urban interface

2. Orchard Design

Need to match the various components of the orchard system.

3. Orchard establishment

Nursery trees - tree quality very important

Soil/site preparation