A GLIMPSE AT THE TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST"^ ' ^ 



William J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



In late October and early November, 1981 the author visited 

 orchards in Oregon, Washington and for the longest period of 

 time in British Columbia (BC) . It would take months to adequately 

 assess the fruit industry in the Pacific Northwest. Nevertheless 

 for the benefit of the reader who have never had the opportunity 

 to visit this area I have included below some general and specific 

 comments on fruit growing, mainly apple, in Oregon, Washington 

 and BC. 



General Comments 



In contrast to those in Massachusetts, apple trees in the 

 Pacific Northwest are irrigated, closely spaced, heavily spurred, 

 more uniform in size within a block, and more vigorous growing. 

 High light intensity in the Pacific Northwest and long days dur- 

 ing the growing season make high tree density possible and 

 enhances spur development and other growth. I suspect that soil 

 variability in orchards is less than in Massachusetts. This fact 

 and the ability to supply water by irrigation when it is needed 

 are responsible, in part, for fruit tree size uniform.ity in the 

 Pacific Northwest. 



M26 is gaining popularity and seems to be performing more 

 satisfactorily than in Massachusetts, although leader support is 

 being provided in some instances. This rootstock is being used 

 because it induces early bearing and produces smaller less vigor- 

 ous trees than more vigorous size- controlling rootstocks. It 

 appears promising as a rootstock for the extremely vigorous 

 Granny Smith. 



1 

 The writer is indebted to Dr. Robert Stebbins, Extension Horti- 

 culture Specialist, Oregon State University; Dave Burkhart, 

 Extension Agent, Hood River, OR; Tom Darnell, Extension Agent, 

 Milton-Freewater , OR; Dr. Tom Toyama, Research and Extension 

 Center, Prosser, WA; James Ballard, Horticulturist for Carlton 

 Nursery, Selah, WA; Dr. Max William, Horticulturist, USDA-SEA-AR, 

 Wenatchee, WA; J.E, Swales, Horticulturist, Okanagan Similkameen 

 Cooperative Growers' Assoc, Oliver, British Columbia, and numer- 

 ous fruit growers for showing him the fruit industry in the Pacific 

 Northwest . 



2 

 A more detailed account of the author's comments on the fruit 



industry in the Pacific Northwest can be found in the Proceedings 



of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association, Volume 88, 1982. 



