the higher grades on color because of the increase in light 

 penetration into the tree. Summer pruned trees had 

 slightly lower yields, but the overall fruit value was $8382 

 per acre compared to $7789 for trees that were not summer 

 pruned (Table 1). Seventeen hours of labor per acre were 

 added by summer pruning, but dormant pruning was 

 reduced by 8 hours per acre. Total labor costs were 

 increased by only $54 per acre. Summer pruning resulted 

 in an additional net value of $539 per acre; a value which 

 makes the activity very much worthwhile. 



In these 2 years of study only trees which did not 

 receive Alar^^ were used, but we have made estimates 

 comparing Alar-treated trees with summer pruned trees 

 which did or did not receive Alar (Table 2). Note that these 

 estimates were approximations based on our experience 

 with Alar and summer pruning. The expected net returns 

 were approximately $1540 higher if Alar were used com- 

 pared to when summer pruning was practiced without Alar, 

 primarily because of the much lower percentage of fruit 



lost to premature drop. Obviously, summer pruning can- 

 not compensate completely for not using Alar, but it does 

 reduce the losses by approximately one third. Table 2 also 

 shows an estimate of the costs and returns of Alar-treated 

 trees which were summer pruned, giving a comparable net 

 value to Alar-treated trees which were not summer pruned. 

 These results suggest that it likely would not be beneficial 

 to summer prune if you have already treated with Alar, 

 primarily because Alar would keep fruit on the tree long 

 enough for red color to develop and the fruit to be har- 

 vested. However, summer pruning still may be beneficial 

 since earlier coloring would allow earlier harvest, poten- 

 tially resulting in higher quality fruit for long-term storage. 



Summer pruning can be a very beneficial procedure 

 which causes a small increase in pruning costs, but a 

 substantially greater crop value in cases where Alar is not 

 used. Growers should consider summer pruning all Mcin- 

 tosh trees which will not receive Alar. The economic 

 returns speak for themselves. 



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