If there's a Washington State University Cooperative Extension office serving your county and within reasonable driving distance they may have useful information for you there about getting orchard fruits going in your climate.

I plant my trees in a cluster planting. I plant three trees in closely spaced holes. This saves room in the orchard and the trees don't grow as big which makes it easier to keep them pruned. I have planted like this for years and in my opinion, I have found it works well. I have included a link for more information in this method.

Carole

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Orchard Culture

Cambse that is what I am planning on doing, and also doing a little companion planting near the drip edge of the trees to help improve vigor and resistance to pests.

Mark-

Mark,
What are you planning on planting that you feel will improve vigor and resistance? I don't do this now but I am having to start a new orchard because we are moving and I am planning it now.

Carole

bboy,

local offices aren't much help for fruit growing, but i finally located wasu's web page where fruit growing info is available for a nominal fee. this will help answer some of my questions for sure.

as soon as the cherries at the u-pics come on, i will be a cherry picker at all the local orchards, "fishing".

also down in spokane there is a gardening show mothers day weekend i attend and while not much on trees as a whole, wasu ag has a booth that is geared to my projects. the added benefit is that lawyers will be there handing out "additional 5% off" coupons for the plant sale they have at the fairgrounds the same weekend. i will be able at that time to buy fruit trees and any others at that time at wholesale prices.

thanks,
wildlifeman

cambse,

appreciate your interest and enjoyed that informative link u provided. i'm reading all i can to educate myself.

my project is a bit different than the avgerage backyard orchardist growing fruit for home use. i'm not exactly short on space, i just wish to utilize it wisely.

a bit of background info. regarding my question. i have a small field (best soil),next to my pumphouse(close water),close to the house(most likely the best care and maint. over the long haul) that will fit in approx. 70 standard size apple trees at normal spacing. overall i plan on 200-300 fruit trees as part of my wildlife enhancement project. the trees must eventually have some size in not trunk caliper but trunk diameter (more accurate term), not a 35 foot height like existing trees but hopefully i can manage the trees to hopefully 12-15 feet, still high but the browse line will begin at 5-6 feet.

i designated approx a 20 acre spot for my fruit trees. the only spot that i will plant trees in a regimented fashion (rows) will be in that close small field. the rest will be in singles,groves etc to blend in with the native vegetation for aesthetic purposes. i changed my plans from all apples to as many different types of fruit i wish to grow for my personal use and would like them represented in this field. i'm using a people 1st use versus wildlife 1st as they chow down on anything we touch but not vice versa.

thanks again, i enjoyed your link and am always open to suggestions,advice, and opinions. it's a fluid situation that is open till the tree is planted.

wildlifeman