Episode 020 - What are High Density Orchards?

Why tree fruit orchards are being redesigned for improved sustainability. A lecture from Brendon Anthony.

In this final episode of Season 2 of Environmentality., Brendon returns with a lecture on the tree fruit industry and the focus of his PhD research, shifting low density peach orchards towards high density plantings (more trees per land area). 

Brendon provides an overview on the field of horticulture and pomology, while doing some deep dives on some fun botanical facts. He then begins to discuss the differences between the CA and CO peach industries and the importance of quality for economic sustainability. Brendon explains why orchards are shifting towards increased planting densities and smaller trees and how this is facilitated by dwarfing rootstocks. High density orchards can simplify canopy architecture to increase labor and input use efficiency, all in an attempt to increase the sustainability (Three E's) of these orchard systems. This transition has already occurred in apple and cherry, and is beginning now in other fruit crops like peaches. 

Brendon discusses the pros and cons of this orchard design and why we need to be able to produce more on less land with less resources in the future to satisfy the food needs of a growing population.