Understand Fruit Trees links tree physiology with soil science and water management for you to see the bigger picture.
This should equip you with enough basic knowledge to make sound judgments.
Understand Fruit Trees provides fruit growers with the mindset and tools necessary to improve on and sustain a profitable orchard operation.
A deeper understanding of what goes on within the tree can only enrich your appreciation and the fascination of working in concert with this wonderful creation, the fruit tree.
143 pages of information, photos and illustrations
The best shapes to intercept and distribute sunlight are the Christmas tree‑type (Central Leader) and V‑type (Tatura Trellis).
Growing fruit means trapping (intercepting) as much sunlight as possible and converting it into a high quality product that we can sell.
What you will find in this manual
Sunlight
Sunlight, fruit production and shade
Tree shape and size
Let leaves see sunlight; manage sunlight
Too much shade costs you money
Transient shade is good shade
Converting light energy into fruit
Sunlight, photosynthesis & tree nutrition
Leaves — what happens during photosynthesis
Leaves support other parts of the tree
Not all leaves are the same
What is respiration?
Best tree row orientation
Harvest more sunlight with reflective materials
Build an efficient canopy architecture to minimise sunburn of fruit
Roots
Plumbing of the trunk and root shankRoots—what they do
The root system
New roots under a microscope
When do roots grow?
Root distribution in the soil
Root death and turnover
Orchard practices affect roots
Control and restrict root growth in a high-density planting
Why and how to restrict root growth
What is root pruning ?
What is scion rooting of apple trees?
Mycorrhizal fungus and root health
Soil
Soil is not dirt
Think of soil health
What is soil type?
Millions of microorganisms in soil
Earthworms—Nature’s soil improvers
Importance of organic matter to soil structure
Maintain good soil structure
Prepare your soil the right way
Use winter weeds to improve soil
Benefits of weed mulch + gypsum to soil
Mulches and compost
Soil chemistry
Importance of soil CEC; soil pH
How useful is a soil test?
Water
Water movement in fruit trees
Which irrigation system?