Summary: The objectives of this project were: 1. Plant a new orchard for the development and evaluation of management practices (e.g., specific training/pruning strategies and growth regulator applications) that facilitate mechanical harvest of sweet cherries for the fresh market. 2. Continue to evaluate the interactions between high density pruning/training systems and trees on various rootstocks for precocity, yield efficiency, fruit quality and other horticultural characteristics. Remaining trial duration is two to three years. 3. Refine high density orchard management techniques (e.g., pruning/training systems) for ‘Bing’ and ‘Rainier’ trees established in 1995 on dwarfing and non-dwarfing rootstocks. Remaining trial duration is two to three years. 4. Develop and apply cultural techniques, such as developmental bud and branch management, growth regulator applications, to achieve smaller trees on non-dwarfing rootstocks in new WSU or cooperators’ orchards.
