TAKES MORE THAN A SWEET TOOTH TO CREATE A BUMPER FRUIT HARVEST

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 21, 1993                   TAG: 9301200010
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long
TAKES MORE THAN A SWEET TOOTH TO CREATE A BUMPER FRUIT HARVEST
Success with a home fruit planting depends on how well it is planned and how well the plans are carried out.
It is not possible to plant trees and harvest good quality fruit with little or no effort. Relatively less care is required in the culture of sour cherries and pears than any of the other tree fruits, but even these cannot be expected to produce good quality fruit year after year if left unattended. Proper attention must be given to insect and disease control, pruning, fertilization, soil management, and other necessary practices.
This article and several to follow are designed to aid those with little or no knowledge of fruit growing. Further information may be obtained by contacting your Extension office.
\ PLANNING HOME FRUIT PLANTING: It is desirable to locate your fruit trees as close to your home as possible. Where space is limited, trees may be set in almost any location suitable for ornamental plants. Consider the mature size of the tree when designing the planting.
Dwarf fruit trees lend themselves admirably to home plantings. They bear earlier than standard-size trees, occupy less space and can be more easily pruned and sprayed with equipment available to the average home owner.
Most nurseries carry dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees of several varieties. Some nurseries offer dwarf pear, peach and cherry trees of a few varieties. Certainly in any planting where space is at a premium, dwarf trees should be considered.
\ SIZE OF PLANTING: Space, site, size of family and available time determine the size of the planting. Cover the range of fruits as far as family preference, adaptability and space permit. Never try to plant more than you can care for properly. It is better to have a small home orchard well attended than a large one neglected. The information in Table 1 should help you determine the size of your planting.
\ TREE SPACING: How far apart must the trees be set? This is an important factor and to a large extent it influences selection of site and varieties. Table 1 shows the minimum desirable distances between fruit trees in Virginia. They can be set farther apart if space allows, but for best results should not be set closer than the minimums indicated. To maintain a bearing surface low enough for necessary pest control, trees should not be crowded.\ \ SPACE REQUIREMENT, YIELD, BEARING AGE, AND LIFE EXPECTANCY OF TREE FRUITS
\ Apple standard: Space 30 feet between plants, yields 8 bushels per plant, bears fruit at 6-10 years, 35-45 year life expectancy.
\ Apple semi-dwarf: Space 20 feet between plants, yields 4 bushels per plant, bears fruit at 4-6 years, 20-25 year life expectancy.
\ Apple dwarf: Space 12 feet between plants, yields 1 bushel per plant, bears fruit at 2-3 years, 15-20 year life expectancy.
\ Pear standard: Space 25 feet between plants, yields 3 bushels per plant, bears fruit at 5-8 years, 35-45 year life expectancy.
\ Pear dwarf: Space 12 feet between plants, yields 1/2 bushel per plant, bears fruit at 3-4 years, 15-20 year life expectancy.
\ Peach: Space 20 feet between plants, yields 4 bushels per plant, bears fruit at 3-4 years, 15-20 year life expectancy.
\ Plum: Space 20 feet between plants, yields 2 bushels per plant, bears fruit at 4-5 years, 15-20 year life expectancy.
\ Quince: Space 15 feet between plants, yields 1 bushel per plant, bears fruit at 5-6 years, 30-40 year life expectancy.
\ Cherry-sour: Space 20 feet between plants, yields 60 quarts per plant, bears fruit at 4-5 years, 15-20 year life expectancy.
\ Cherry-sweet: Space 25 feet between plants, yields 75 quarts per plant, bears fruit at 5-7 years, 20-30 year life expectancy.
\ SITE SELECTION: The importance of selecting the best site possible for fruit planting cannot be overemphasized. Good air drainage is essential.
Cold air, like water, flows downhill, so fruit buds on plants set in a low spot are likely to be killed. Frost pockets, low, wet spots and locations exposed to strong prevailing winds must be avoided. Tops and sides of hills, where land is higher than the surrounding area, are relatively frost-free. Placing thermometers in early spring at potential fruit-tree sites is helpful in identifying the best places.
A deep, well-drained, fertile soil should be selected. To determine soil drainage, dig a hole 1 foot wide and 4 feet deep. If water drains out of the hole within five days after a heavy rain, the soil drainage is adequate for fruit trees.
A fertile, sandy loam or sandy-clay loam is suitable for most fruit trees. Adequate drainage of moisture is the most important soil characteristic. Poor soils may easily be improved by proper fertilization and cultural practices. Improving a soil with poor internal drainage is difficult and expensive. A fertile soil is desirable; a deep, well-drained soil is vital.
Next week, we will look at variety selection and tips on buying fruit trees.

Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. Call him at 382-5790.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB