The U.F.O. Architecture: A Novel System for High Efficiency Sweet Cherry Orchards

Orchard system studies at Washington State University and in grower-cooperator orchards have led to the following vision for sweet cherry architecture: 1) single-plane fruiting walls that facilitate the adoption of technologies and reduce environmental footprint; 2) precocious and productive yielding high uniformity of superlative fruit; 3) systematic approach to pruning and training that minimizes interpretation and uses natural growth habit; and 4) ability to adopt precision canopy and crop management strategies.   From this vision and with industry collaboration, the U.F.O. (upright fruiting offshoots) architecture was developed.  Briefly, to establish the system, unbranched, unpruned nursery stock (i.e., “whips”) are planted at an angle of about 45 degrees and subsequently trained horizontally at a height of ca. 45 cm.  Nursery stock should be sufficient to fill the between-tree spacing at planting.  Test orchards have been planted at 1 to 2 m between trees on ‘Gisela®5’ and 2 to 3 m on ‘Gisela®6’.  Growth in year 1 is focused into upright shoots spaced 15 to 20 cm apart.  This may be accomplished by bud removal or scoring, though uprights tend to develop without intervention.  In subsequent years, pruning is largely limited to: 1) elimination of all lateral growth, and 2) dormant or summer renewal of vigorous uprights.  This training system may be adapted to vertical or angled fruiting walls, creating a compact architecture.  This presentation will illustrate system establishment and training.  In addition, fruit yield and quality and harvest efficiency data from cooperators’ orchards will be presented.