UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF HIGH DENSITY SWEET CHERRY PRODUCTION

Production of sweet cherries in high density systems can be accomplished in a number of ways, but underlying principles exist across all systems that are critical to their success. Inherent vigor and productivity factors - scion, soil type, climate, rootstock - must be taken into account before deciding upon a particular training strategy to impose. Knowledge of cherry cropping physiology, from flower bud induction to fruit harvest, can help guide orchard strategies to further manage vegetative vigor, crop loads, and fruit quality. By working with smaller trees, it is easier to develop greater precision in tree architecture, as well as to “deconstruct” the leaf and fruit populations into spatial and developmental relationships that can be managed to optimize yields and uniform fruit quality.