Objective 2: Prepare the tree canopy for better fruit removal
- William H. Krueger and Louise Ferguson (Principal Investigators)
June 2008 Hedging Experimental Trial
A block of "Manzanillo" trees at Rocky Hill Ranch, Tulare Co., were mechanically hedged and skirted, in preparation for harvest by the DSE 007. The objective is to determine if this practice enhances fruit removal efficiency and final fruit recovery. Fruit quality and yield will be evaluated: 2008 Hedging at Rocky Hill Ranch Photo Album
May 2008 Summary Report
Establishing and Training Manzanillo Table Olives For Mechanical Harvest (pdf) - William H. Krueger, Louise Ferguson, Stan Cutter and Antonio Isern
A hedgerow "Manzanillo" orchard was planted in 2001 at Nickels Soils Laboratory in Colusa County. Four training treatments: conventional, free standing espalier, espalier woven through a trellis, and espalier clipped to a trellis, all spaced at 12 X 18 feet, 202 trees to the acre, have been evaluated for yield, value per ton and value per acre. The objective was to determine the effect of training trees for mechanical harvest on yield and fruit value. Thus far all treatments are yielding equally well with no significant differences in value per ton or acre. These evaluations will be continued until the mature yields plateau.
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| The ideal orchard for mechanical harvest would produce a flat fruiting wall to the harvester. Dimensions for the hedgerow orchard at Nickels Estate, Arbuckle, CA. |
 | Dimensions for a traditional orchard, pruned for mechanical harvest. |
