The annual produce from a 500 tree orchard will depend upon a number of factors, including type of fruit, variety, weather, water, nutrients, tree maturity, etc. We plan to allow the experts to help us in choosing the types of trees and in helping with the other factors.
With that said, I have received a few questions about how much fruit could be produced. My answer is obviously contingent on a number of factors but here we go:
Assuming that we end up planting semi-dwarf trees and basing these numbers on published estimates from the University of Arizona, we could see an annual production of about 1700 bushels at tree maturity. Considering that a bushel of apples is typically about 42 pounds, that's a lot of fruit!
Some may say that it's too much fruit and there is a concern that much of it will come on all at once. Here are a few options that have been discussed to that end.
- Plant types and varieties of fruit that mature at different times of the year.
- Send excess production to food bank locations in neighboring communities.
- Give excess production to the residents of the Cedar City area.
- Allow families to pick through the orchard after we have met the needs of the ICC&S and others. We can ask them to make a modest donation for the fruit they receive. This donation can help to maintain the orchard and garden with excess going as a cash donation to the Care and Share.
- We could plant trees in phases to ensure that we don't over plant / produce.
As you can see, this project has a rather large scope which and will positively impact our community for years. You can also see that the committee for this CCCOG project has a lot to consider. We would love to get your input! Please email us and give us your thoughts and suggestions -
Have a great weekend!
