growing world shows that the fruit trees are remarkably toler - 

 ant to the manipulation of their natural configuration by man. 



In the Milton-Freewater area I first learned that Promalin* 

 was being used to increase the typiness of Delicious in the 

 Pacific Northwest and that drip irrigation appeared to be 

 improving crotch angles on spur Delicious. 



The Red King Oregon Spur strain of Delicious was found in 

 the orchard of Wayne Trumball in Milton-Freewater. This strain 

 is popular in the Pacific Northwest because it produced better 

 crotch angles than Starkrimson and the tree is more vigorous. 

 Nevertheless, some limb and tree reversion has been encountered 

 on older trees. These reversions produce fruit similar to the 

 Standard Delicious. The Red King Oregon Spur now is being planted 

 in Massachusetts. 



Specific Comments on Washington 



Acreage and Production 



The apple industry continues to expand rapidly in Washington 

 with thousands of acres being planted annually. Nevertheless, 

 the average orchard size is only about 50 acres with few plantings 

 in excess of 1000 acres. In one of the large holdings being 

 developed it was impressive to see 1-year-old trees in orchard 

 rows approximately 6600 feet long. 



In 1980 Washington produced about 72 million bushels of apples. 

 One reliable source predicted that unless something unforeseen 

 happens, future crops could exceed 100,000,000 bushels annually. 

 Thus, over-production of apples in the United States seems possible 

 because modest production increases also are predicted in other 

 areas. Unfortunately, some orchardists will fail financially if 

 the predicted production increases become a reality. But I was 

 reminded that orchards with a sizeable percentage of the total 

 acreage planted to well-managed young trees of newer varieties 

 and strains should continue to be profitable. 



Rootstocks 



Most apple orchards are now planted with 200 to 300 trees per 

 acre. Seedling trees are the most common rootstock but many 

 successful orchards are on M7a, MM106 and MMlll. 



Granny Smith 



This variety continues to create much excitement in the apple 

 industry. It produces long willowy growth, particularly on 



igorous rootstocks, and some fruit is borne terminally. Thus, 

 there is much interest in vigor control with M26 rootstock, summer 

 pruning, limb spreading and growth regulators. At least one grower 



TT- 



Trade name 



V 



