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Cornell Fruit Resources: Tree Fruit

Resources for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers

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Tree Fruit Production

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General | Organic Production | Site, Soil, Nutrient & Water Management | Cultivars & Rootstocks | Tree Training, Pruning, Mechanization & Planting Systems | Pollination | Thinning & Growth Regulators | Home Orchard

Featured Resources

A Grower’s Guide to Organic Apples – Includes information on variety- and site-selection, soil health, nutrient management and recommendations for how to manage insects, diseases, weeds and other pests using organic practices.
Harvesting Change Workbook: A Planning Workbook for Apple Growers – Workbook designed for business analysis, decision-making and strategic planning. (2003 NYFarmNet)
Cornell Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Tree Fruit Production – Critical pesticide information for managing diseases, insects, mites, weeds, wildlife, and nutrients.
New York Integrated Fruit Production Protocol for Apples -Outlines eco-friendly ways to establish orchards, train and fertilize trees, thin fruit and manage insects, mites, diseases, weeds, and vertebrate pests.
Frost Protection – Resources for berry, grape, and tree fruit growers on how to limit frost damage.
Cornell Beach Plum resources.

General

Working Efficiently in the Orchard (2013, M Miranda Sazo, 3.43 MB pdf)
NY IFP Protocol for Apples (2006 FLS bulletin #158, 1.3 mb pdf)– Outlines eco-friendly ways to establish orchards, train and fertilize trees, thin fruit and manage insects, mites, diseases, weeds, and vertebrate pests.
Growing Apples for Craft Ciders (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-1)
Pest Management Guidelines
Frost Protection
The Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) (2011 FQ v. 19-1)
Critical Temperatures for Frost Damage on Fruit Trees (Utah State)
Growth Stages in Fruit Trees (1976 FLS bulletin #58, 500 kb pdf)
Understanding Frost & Freeze Events (2013, M. Fargione, 3 MB pdf)
Apple Fruit Growth (2013 NYFQ v. 21-1, 1.2 mb pdf)

Organic Production

Organic Apple Production – A Beginner’s Guide (2011, NCAT/ATTRA webinar video)
A Grower’s Guide to Organic Apples (2010, NYSIPM Program, 1.3 MB .pdf)
Apples: Organic Production Guide (2011, ATTRA, subscription required)
Evaluation of Organic Pest Controls and Thinning on Multiple Apple Cultivars (2006 NYS IPM report)
Evaluation of Pest Management Tactics for Organic Apple Production (2000, 54 kb pdf)

Site, Soil, Nutrient & Water Management

Agro-One Services: [Soil Testing] ; [Plant Tissue Analysis]
Determining Lime Requirement for Adjusting Soil pH in Apple Orchards (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-3)
Managing Pruning and Fertilization of Honeycrisp to Balance Growth, Cropping and Fruit Quality (Robinson and Cheng, 2022)
Soil Qualities to Optimize New Orchard Growth (2022 ENYCHP Tree Fruit News)
Models for the Future Apple Plots: Benefits of Pre-plant Bio-remediation (2021 ENYCHP Produce Pages)
Sunlight, Yield, and Productivity of Apples (2014 Fruit Quarterly v. 22-2)
Dealing with Frost Damage and Climate Change in Tree Fruit Crops (2016 FQ v. 24-3)
Effects of Sunburn Treatments on Honeycrisp in the Hudson Valley in 2015 (2016 FQ v. 24-3)
Buffer pH to Derive Lime Guidelines
Can Calcium Be Injected Through the Trickle Irrigation System to Help Control Bitter Pit of Honeycrisp? (2013 NYFQ v. 21-4, 1.1 mb pdf)
Nitrogen Nutrition Budgets in Four Orchard Groundcover Management Systems (2012 NYFQ v. 20-4, 60 kb pdf)
Nitrogen Fertilization Has Differential Effects on Red Color Development and Flesh Starch Breakdown of ‘Gala’ Apple (2011 FQ v. 19-3)
Soil pH, Soil Type and Replant Disease Affect Growth and Nutrient Absorption of Apple Rootstocks (2012 NYFQ v. 20-1, 9 mb pdf)
Precision Irrigation Management (2013 FQ v. 21-2)
Optimizing Nitrogen and Potassium Management to Foster Apple Tree Growth and Cropping Without Getting ‘Burned’ (2013 v. 21-1)
Cornell Soil Health Website
Leaf and Soil Tests on Local Berry Farms- Lessons from Summer 2010 (2011 FQ v. 19-1)
Establishing Row-middle Ground Cover Options for High Density Apple Orchards in Western NY (2014 Fruit Quarterly v. 22-1)
Fertigation for Apple Trees in the Pacific NW (2009 NYFQ v. 17-4, 60 kb pdf)
Nutritional Effects on Apple Fruit Quality (2009 NYFQ v. 17-3, 368 kb pdf)
Nutrient Requirements of ‘Gala’/M.26 Apple (2009 NYFQ v. 17-4, 1.86 mb pdf)
Nitrogen and ‘Gala’ Fruit Size (2007 NYFQ v. 15-3, 510 kb pdf)

Cultivars & Rootstocks

Apple Cultivars

Update on New Apple Varieties, Managed Varieties, and Clubs (2018 Fruit Quarterly v.26-2)
An Update on Apple Cultivars, Brands and Club-Marketing (2013 NYFQ v. 21-1, 9.2 mb pdf)
New Apple Varieties, Trademarks and Clubs (2009 NYFQ v. 17-3, 309 kb pdf)
Scab-resistant Cultivars (2008 NYFQ v. 16-4, 232 kb pdf)
Growing Apples for Craft Ciders (2015 NYFQ v. 23-1)
Antique Apples for Modern Orchards (2008 NYFQ v. 16-4, 3.34 mb pdf)
Apple Variety Identification
Arctic Apples: A Look Back and Forward (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-2)
An Overview of Arctic Apples: Basic Facts and Characteristics (2013 Fruit Quarterly v. 21-3)
Susceptibility of Selected Apple Cultivars to Rusts (Plant Management Network)
Susceptibility of Selected Apple Cultivars to Powdery Mildew (Plant Management Network)
An Apple that Tastes Like Berries and One that Doesn’t Brown (2008 CALS News article)
A Grower’s Guide to Self and Cross-Incompatibility in Apple (2012 FQ v. 20-2)
Does the Name Matter. Developing Markets for New Managed Apple Varieties (2011 Fruit Quarterly v. 19-3)
The Apple Collection in Geneva, NY (2008 NYFQ v. 16-1, 6.57 mb pdf)

Apple Rootstocks

Geneva® Rootstocks Comparison Chart
Cornell-Geneva Apple Rootstocks for Weak Growing Scion Cultivars (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-1)
Apple Rootstocks Influence Mineral Nutrient Concentration of Leaves and Fruit (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-2)
USDA National Apple Rootstock Breeding Program
Geneva® Rootstocks for Weak Growing Scion Cultivars Like ‘Honeycrisp’ (2011 FQ v. 19-2)
Nursery Tree Architecture and Apple Rootstocks (2008 NYFQ v. 16-1, 816 kb pdf)
Unique Characteristics of Geneva® Apple Rootstocks (2013 NYFQ v. 21-3, 768 kb pdf)
Apple Rootstock Susceptibility to Phytophthora – eXtension

Fruit Breeding

Apple Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-3)
Apple Genes for Disease Resistant Varieties (2007 NYFQ v. 15-2, 693 kb pdf)
Identifying the Gene Controlling Apple Fruit Acidity and its Applications in Apple Breeding (2012 FQ v. 20-4)
Towards Understanding the Genetic Basis of Apple Acidity (2011 FQ v. 19-2)
The Next Generation Biotechnology for Apple Improvement and Beyond: The CRISPR/Cas9 Story (2013 FQ v. 21-4)
The Next Generation of Biotechnology for Apple Improvement and Beyond, the Tale of TALENs and TALEs (2012 Fruit Quarterly v. 20-3)
Precision Genome Editing May Ease Debate and Regulatory Burden on Genetically Modified Fruit (2014 Fruit Quarterly v. 22-4)
Developing New Fruit Varieties (Impact Cornell)

Tree Training, Pruning, Mechanization & Planting Systems

Tree Training

Tall Spindle System: Planting, Pruning, and Training
Vertical Axis System: Planting, Pruning, and Training
Slender Pyramid System: Planting, Pruning, and Training
Slender Axis System: Planting, Pruning, and Training
Experiences with Support Systems for the Tall Spindle Apple Planting System (2012 NYFQ v. 20-4, 6.9 mb pdf)
Planting and Establishing High-Density Apple Orchards (2007 NYFQ v. 15-4, 298 kb pdf)
More Competitive Apple Orchard Systems in NY (2007 NYFQ v. 15-1, 584 kb pdf)
Peach Planting Systems (2007 NYFQ v. 15-4, 239 kb pdf)
High Density Pear Production (2010 NYFQ v. 18-4, 2.6 mb pdf)
Strategies to Improve Early Growth And Yield of Tall Spindle Apple Plantings (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-2)
A Vision for Apple Orchard Systems of the Future (2013 Fruit Quarterly v. 21-3)
Sweet Cherry Training Systems Guide (Oregon State University, 2015, 3.2 mb .pdf)
Cherry Training Systems app for tablets (OSU Extension Catalog)
Production of Sweet Cherries under High Tunnels (2013 NYFQ v. 21-2, 1.8 mb pdf)
Effect of Crop Load, Fertilizer, and Leader Selection on New Tree Growth of Apple (2011 FQ v. 19-3)
Pruning & Training Apple Trees and Apple Harvest Training (DVDs from Penn State)

Orchard Mechanization

Recent Advances of Mechanization for the Tall Spindle Orchard System in New York State – Part 1 (2016 Fruit Quarterly v. 21-1)
Measuring and Extending the Benefits of Orchard Mechanization in High Density Orchards in Western NY (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-2)
Making Apple Trees Friendlier for Mechanized Harvesting (2016 Fruit Quarterly v. 24-3)
Advances in Mechanization of the Tall Spindle Apple Orchard System (2013 NYFQ v. 21-3, 3.1 mb pdf)
Advances in Mechanization of the Tall Spindle Apple Orchard System: Part 2 – Harvest Mechanization Prospects (2013 Fruit Quarterly v. 21-3)
The Fruiting Wall Concept using Tall Spindle Trees and Mechanical Pruning (2013 Expo Proceedings)

Pruning

Virus Transmission and Grafting Practices (2016 Fruit Quarterly v. 24-2)
Pruning Strategy Affects Fruit Size, Yield and Biennial Bearing of Gala and Honeycrisp Apples (2014 Fruit Quarterly v. 22-3)
Using Pruning to Improve the Fruit Size of ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Lapins’ and ‘Hedelfingen’ Sweet Cherry Grown on Gisela Rootstocks (2012 Fruit Quarterly v. 20-3)

Grafting

Successful Apple Grafting Techniques for New York (2012 NYFQ v. 20-1, 6.9 mb pdf)

Pollination

Wild Pollinators of Eastern Apple Orchards and How to Conserve Them
A Pesticide Decision-Making Guide to Protect Pollinators in Tree Fruit Orchards
Working Together to Protect Bees
Pollination Services Contract
Pollinator Network @ Cornell
Pollinator Protection Plant New York State (2016) and Pollinator Protection Plan Results Update (2018)
DEC Pollinator Page
Active Ingredients Eligible for Minimum Risk Pesticide Use
NYSIPM Pollinator Page
Why Tree Fruit Growers Should Implement a Pollinator Stewardship Plan (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-2)
The Wild Bees of New York: Our Insurance Policy Against Honey Bee Decline (2015 Fruit Quarterly v.23-4)
Pollination and Fruit Set of Fruit Crops
Northeast Pollinator Partnership Project – Apple growers
Insect Pollination of Cultivated Crop Plants (1976/2009 USDA ARS)
Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook – PALS Publishing (formerly NRAES)
Optimizing Pollination of Fruit Crops (2005)
Beekeepers With Bees Available for Contract Pollination
Native Bees in Apple Pollination (2010 NYFQ v. 18-1, 1.35 mb pdf)
Pollinator Protection (North Carolina State Univ.)

Thinning & Growth Regulators

Thinning

Predicting Apple Fruit Set Model (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-1)
Precision Crop Load Management (2013 FQ v. 21-2)
Precision Crop Load Management Part 2 (2014 Fruit Quarterly v. 22-1)
Precision Pruning to Help Maximize Crop Value (2015 Fruit Quarterly v. 23-1)
Advances in Predicting Chemical Thinner Response of Apple Using a Carbon Balance Model (2011 NYFQ v. 19-1, 450 kb pdf)
Using an Apple Tree Carbohydrate Thinning Model (2007 NYFQ v. 15-3, 515 kb pdf)
Crop Load Management for Honeycrisp Apples (2009 NYFQ v. 17-1, 4.38 mb pdf)
Crop Load Management of High-Density Apple Orchards (2008 NYFQ v. 16-2, 1.38 mb pdf)
Chemical Peach Thinning (2008 NYFQ v. 16-4, 520 kb pdf)

Harvest Management PGR’s

Precision Harvest Management (2016 Fruit Quarterly v. 24-2)
ReTain and NAA Recommendations for Apples (2014 Fruit Quarterly v. 22-3)
The “Split” Application Strategy for Pre-Harvest Fruit Drop Control (2013 NYFQ v. 21-2, 450 kb pdf)
Retain Combined with NAA Controls Pre-harvest Drop (2010 NYFQ v. 18-3, 976 kb pdf)

PGR’s for Improved Tree Branching

The Use of Plant Growth Regulators for Branching of Nursery Trees in NY State (2011 FQ v. 19-2)

PGR’s for Increasing Cherry Fruit Size

Improving Cherry Fruit Size of Self-Fertile Cultivars (2008 NYFQ v. 16-3, 318 kb pdf)

Home Orchard

Cornell Guide to Growing Fruit at Home (2003)
Minor Fruits – Under-used trees and shrubs for edible landscaping.

Production Archives

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This web resource is designed to enhance access to Cornell's fruit production resources. This site is a project of the Tree Fruit & Berry Program Work Team and the Viticulture and Enology Program Work Team. Visit the About section for more information on the team. Comments? Email Anya Osatuke, Cornell Fruit Resources Steering Committee chair, or Craig Cramer, Communication Specialist, School of Integrative Plant Science. Some of the informational links provided are not maintained by, nor are the responsibility of, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Mention of commercial products and trade names is for educational and informational purposes only. Manufacturers' instructions change. Read the manufacturers' instructions on the pesticide label carefully before use. Inclusion of information is not intended as an endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University, nor is discrimination of excluded information implied. Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.

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