Tart Cherry Hedging...

Here's a little snippit from my Monday this week:


There are some pretty wild and fun things that I get to do as a master's student. This one was so interesting and I enjoyed it greatly because I got to drive the tractor and hedge trees at one point. The best part was that the trees are in full bloom, and as I drove, petals were falling like snow. Best. Day. Ever!


It is really difficult to be a tart cherry grower. Trees go in the ground and they are not typically harvested for 6-7 years after. Waiting for a crop can be financially difficult. We are trying to find ways to help a tart cherry tree reach production maturity a little faster. By doing this, the investment return would happen sooner, and it would give growers a few extra harvests from their investments. Sustainable agriculture is so important. To help us reach this goal of faster production, we are hedging trees. We are hopeful that by hedging the trees, there will be new spur growth that will form flower buds this fall. This would show that hedging creates a growth response that helps produce fruit. Everyone, cross your fingers!

Comments

  1. Flowered in your labors, bliss.

    And since you inspire, I now know what a hedge is, as well as hedging, coppicing and pollarding, what "The Hague" means, and the longest and tallest hedge, Meikleour Beech Hedge.

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