Planning a new cherry orchard.

Abstract Growing fruit trees is a long term financial commitment and establishing an orchard is an expensive enterprise. Selecting the right orchard site is arguably the most important decision that a sweet cherry grower will make and it will affect all other managerial decisions related to the orchard. Choosing the wrong site can affect both fruit yield and quality, and ultimately the financial viability of the operation. On the other hand, choosing a good site will reduce expenses and increase profits. Properly evaluating a prospective orchard location, determining available resources and establishing the orchard takes careful planning. This chapter focuses on important factors in planning a new cherry orchard, including economics and site evaluation (climatic conditions, topography, soil characteristics, soil analysis, water availability and quality, access to key auxilliary facilities, and environmental impact).