Preliminary Report on Orchards Survey: Tree Fruits Section

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 89, Issue 5, 15 November 1954, Page 449

Preliminary Report on Orchards Survey: Tree Fruits Section

DURING the winter and spring of 1953 district officers of the Horticulture Division carried out a survey of orchards throughout New Zealand, recording the number of trees according to age and condition of each variety and kind. A preliminary report on the survey is given in this article by J. H. Watt, Horticultural Economist, Department of Agriculture, Wellington.

ALL the following kinds grown commercially were included in the survey: — Pip: Apple, pear, quince. Stone: Apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, plum. Citrus: Grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, orange, tangelo. Sub-tropical: Avocado, Chinese gooseberry, feijoa, passion fruit, tree tomato. Berries: Boysenberry, currant, gooseberry, loganberry, raspberry, strawberry, youngberry. Others: Grape, persimmon, walnut. Limitations of the Survey To' avoid unnecessary recording and analysis minimum standards to exclude only those plantings too insignificant to affect the results of the survey were laid down. In the table below Sole shows the minimum number of trees or area below which the orchard was excluded from the survey; Part shows the number or area of the various kinds of fruit in mixed orchards below which that fruit was ignored; and Variety shows the minimum number of trees of any one variety recorded.

TABLE I—MINIMUM NUMBER OF TREES OR AREA RECORDED Sole Part Variety (Trees or area) trees Pip fruit .. .. .. • • 100 10 10 Stone fruit .. ■■ • • 100 10 10 Cherry .. .. .. .. 5 5 Citrus fruit .. .. .. 50 10 10 Chinese gooseberry .. ..10 10 Keijoa 1 Passion fruit i .. .. ... 50 25 . ) Tree tomato j Berry fruit 1 - .. .. j ac . J ac. Grape ) Only tree fruits were listed by varieties.

Citrus fruits were classified by types rather than variety, though varieties were shown also in most cases. Grapefruit were listed under the types New Zealand, Wheeny, and other. Lemons were listed under the types Eureka, Lisbon, and Meyer. During the survey the number of varieties of each kind of fruit recorded (695 varieties of 7 kinds of fruit) were: — Apple 165, apricot 53, cherry 65, nectarine 37, peach 171, pear 77, plum 127. Classification by Condition and Age Condition: Within the limits set out above all fruit plants were classified into 3 condition categories: A: Vigorous, healthy trees for that district. B: Trees in fair condition; below A category, but capable in the opinion of the enumerator of being brought back to A condition by better management practices. C: All trees other than A and B categories. C category was a range of conditions from trees which should be

450—SURVEY OF ORCHARDS . . .

pulled out immediately, because of disease, old age, or neglect, to trees in fair condition equal to category B except that in the opinion of the inspecting officer they could not be brought back to A condition no matter how much better treatment was given. Age: At the same time .the plants were classified into one of 8 age groups for tree fruits and 5 groups for subtropicals, berries, and grapes. The age was taken from the year of planting and not from the age of the rootstock. The age of trees reworked in the orchard was that from the year of setting out and not from the year of reworking. To date only preliminary figures are available, but these

should be sufficiently accurate to give the general patterns and trends. Table 2 shows the distribution of tree fruit growers by each of the 17 districts as recorded in the survey. The total number of orchards growing the kinds of fruits recorded was 2390 and of these about half had apple trees, almost half had peaches, and so on down to 181 growers of cherries. Similarly the columns show the number of growers of each kind of fruit in each district. For instance, there were 263 growers of apples in the Hastings district (out of the 387 orchards recorded there), compared with 233 apple growers in Auckland and 76 in Motueka. There were 302 orchardists growing peaches in Hastings out of a total of 387 orchards, compared with 158 in Alexandra and 67 in Roxburgh. The figures in Table 2, however, must not be taken to indicate the number of trees. The table shows merely the number of orchards with sufficient of at least one variety of tree fruits to come within the scope of the survey. The distribution of the various tree fruits in districts with more than 10 per cent, of the Dominion total recorded is set out in Table 3. Table 3 cannot be directly related to production, as production per tree ■ varies from district to district; nor can they be related directly to acreage, as planting distances vary also. However, these statistics can be interpreted broadly to show the relative importance in numbers of trees and also to show that only a few of the 17 districts grow the majority of the trees of any one kind of fruit. For instance, over 70 per cent, of the apple trees are grown in 5 districts, 70 per cent, of the peach trees are grown in 3 districts, and 80 per cent, of the apricot trees are grown in Alexandra and Roxburgh. • There are only 4 citrus districts in New Zealand and these are all shown in Tables 2 and 3. It will be seen that Auckland had over half the grapefruit trees, Tauranga had nearly half the standard lemon trees, and Kerikeri grew 60 per cent, of the orange and 37 per cent, of the Meyer lemon trees. From these same tables it can be seen that in Mapua growers had more apple trees on the average than Hastings growers and in Roxburgh the average number of apricot trees, per grower was much greater than at Alexandra. The relative importance (numerically) of the various tree fruits is shown graphically on page 451 with the fruits strictly in numerical order. Here all lemons are shown in one column with a division between standard and Meyer for comparison. Similarly, the condition grouping of each kind is shown in Table 4, with pip, stone, and citrus fruits grouped separately. Here Meyer lemons are segregated from standard lemon trees, as they have a different harvesting period and constitute a separate marketing problem. TABLE 4—CONDITION GROUPING OF TREE FRUITS IN 1953 Per cent. Total trees of all Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Kind 000’s tree fruits ABC Apple .. .. 1,041 55 67 17 16 . ■ Pear .... 125 ■ 7 89 7 4 Peach .. . . 301 16 76 10 14 Apricot . . 118 6 79 8 13 Plum ... 109 6 81 12 7 Nectarine .. 27 1 72 8 20 Cherry ..21 1 67 9 24 Grapefruit . . 54 3 80 15 5 Lemon (std.) ..38 2 61 25 14 Orange . . 31 2 63 25 12 Lemon (Meyer) 16 1 84 15 1 Total .. 1,881 100 Table 4 shows that of the 1,881,000 trees recorded over half were apples and about a sixth were peaches. The condition of trees of all the kinds of fruits was good, only nectarines and cherries showing 20 per cent, or more of condition C. The condition groups of standard lemons and oranges indicate that better management practices could improve the condition and production of a quarter of these trees (B group). To aid growers to appreciate the potential importance of this survey the accompanying graphs are given to show the Dominion situation for each kind of fruit separately. In each diagram the number of trees in each age group is further divided into condition groups. Reasonable interpretation of these graphs should give a fair picture of the situation for each kind of fruit in 1953 and possibly an indication of the outlook for the fruit industry.

By the age groups it should be possible to predict future production (within broad limits), and the condition groups (the health of the trees) will emphasise or modify what the age groups indicate. These graphs deal only with kinds of fruit and not with varieties. Varieties vary in productivity both within a district and between districts, so that any prediction as to production trends is based on an assumption that recent plantings are in the same ratio (between districts) as the numbers of mature trees. In general such predictions will be conservative, as the districts with higher production per tree appear to have the greatest number of trees not yet in full bearing.

All the graphs show the age grouping along the bottom; 0/5 means that all the trees in this group are under 6 years from planting and the last column on the right shows the number of trees over 50 years planted. Each column is divided into 3 condition groups A (left), B (middle), and C (right). The relative heights of these 3 groups indicate the health of the

various age groups and their potential productive life.

The most important columns are those on the extreme left and right of the graphs. Those on the extreme right should be the first to go out of production and those on the extreme left will increase production. If the number of young trees exceeds the number likely to be cut out, there will be an increase in production.

It is possible to make a rough prediction of future production as a percentage of present production by subtracting the percentage shown for the non-bearing group (0/5 in most cases) from 100 (the New Zealand total). This figure gives the units producing the 1953-54 crop. If, for example, 0/5 is 20 per cent, of the total, the 1953-54 crop was produced from 80 units of trees and there is a

potential increase from present plantings of 2% or |. From this figure must be subtracted the percentage of trees likely to be cut out by the time the 0/5 group comes into bearing. If this figure is 20 per cent., production should remain fairly static; if it is less than 20 per cent.,

it should increase; and if it is more than 20 per cent., production should be reduced on present plantings. Apples The apple industry is in a healthy condition, 67 per cent, of the trees being classified A and only 16 per cent. C. Over half of the trees are in the 31/40 age group; 14 per cent, of the trees are under 5 years and 11 per cent, are over 40 years, but half the latter are in A condition. There should be some increase in productian (up to about 10 per cent.), as it is unlikely that many trees will be cut out because of condition within the next 5 to 10 years. Pears In the pear industry trees of all age groups are very healthy. Of the total 89 per cent, are classified A and only 4 per cent. C and it is unlikely that any quantity of trees will be cut out for the next 10 years. If all the trees under 10 years (27 per cent.) are taken to be nonbearing, production for 1953-54 came irom 73 per cent, of the trees; there is a potential increase of about 33J per cent. Peaches Three-quarters of the peach trees of all ages are A and 14 per cent, are C. Of the Cs over half (9 per cent, of the total) are in the age groups over 20. This is interesting, as it confirms that in most districts the life of peach trees is about 20 years. Note how the number of C in relation to A increases in the 21/30 and older groups. The 1953-54 crop was produced from some 60 per cent, of the number of trees shown and even if all the trees over 30 years and the Cs in the 21/30 age group are

removed during the next few years (a total of about 12 per cent,),. the 37 per cent, in the 0/5 group represents a potential increase of 2 % 0 or 40 per cent. Apricots The apricot situation is quite healthy. About 80 per cent, of the trees are classified A and 13 per cent. C. An interesting point is the number of C trees in the 0/5 group (6 per cent, of the total), probably because of stone fruit blast infection. Even if all the trees over 50 years old and all the C condition trees irrespective of age are removed within the next 5 years (a total of some 21,000 trees or 18 per cent.), there is a potential increase in production of 1% or about 25 per cent.

Plums Plum trees in all age groups are in good condition. The 1953-54 crop was produced from some 70 per cent, of the trees, so there is a potential increase of all plums of more than a third.

Nectarines There has been considerable planting of nectarines, about a third of the trees being under 5 years old. From the graph it seems that nectarines on the average have about the same life expectancy as peaches, as indicated by the relative numbers of trees of C to A condition over 20 years old. Even if all the trees over 40 years old and all the Cs over 20 are removed, there is a potential increase in production of about 20 per cent.

Cherries About a quarter of the trees are classed as C and these are mainly in the groups over 30 years old. Assuming 10 years as the beginning of worthwhile production from cherry trees and that all the Cs over 30 years old are removed (15 per cent.), production should increase by at least 25 per cent. Lemons (Standard) A third of the standard lemons (Lisbon and Eureka types) are under 5 years old, so that even if all the C grade

trees are removed, production could increase by at least 1% 7 or 28 per cent.

Lemons (Meyer) Of the 16,000 Meyer lemon trees 60 per cent, are under 5 years old and only 2 per cent, or 360 trees are over 15 years of age. The over-all condition is very good, 84 per cent, being A and only 1 per cent. C. There is likely to be greatly increased production of Meyer lemons — production could increase to about 2| times previous crops.

Oranges

Of the 31,000 trees, over a third are under 5 years old and only 12 per cent, of all ages are classified C. Even if all the C grade trees are removed, there could be an increase from present plantings of up to %2 or 42 per cent, above the 1953-54 crop potential.

Grapefruit

Of the 54,000 grapefruit trees 80 per cent, are A and only 5 per cent. C condition. If 15 years is taken as the average age when grapefruit trees reach maximum production, 70 per cent, of the trees will be carrying increasing crops in the future. There is no indication from the condition of trees that any appreciable quantity of them will be removed in the near future, so that production is likely to increase to 1| times or perhaps twice present production.

Final-analysis Patterns

The graphs were compiled from preliminary figures, but it is expected that in the final analysis the patterns will not change appreciably. Further, in the rough interpretation given the increases predicted will be conservative, mainly because no allowance has been made for increasing crops likely to be produced from trees in the 6/10 and 11/15 age groups. In addition in assessing the possible

increase it has been assumed that all the oldest trees and the C grade trees quoted will be removed within 5 to 10 years, whereas in fact the number of trees, eliminated will be very much lower and many of the trees in the categories mentioned may still be producing fruit in 20 years time. Similarly no. allowance has been made for the possible improvement in the production from B grade trees through better management, which could reasonably occur when growers understand the situation depicted. The picture of the various phases of the tree fruit industry thus obtained should assist growers and marketing organisations to plan future planting and marketing to ensure adequate supplies for the increasing consumption as population grows, but so that undue surpluses are avoided. The compilation of statistics and graphs of the main varieties of each kind of fruit is being carried out and will be published. Such detailed information will be of greater importance to growers than the information on kinds of fruit given here. The situation in 1953 and the outlook for production in each district by kinds and varieties will be made available also. This should help growers to plan future plantings to meet local market needs. Where districts share a major market a study of the situation in competing districts could assist orchardists to maintain reasonable marketing conditions and prices. Marketing organisations should find the detailed statistics of varieties by districts of use in planning distribution of the crops and they should be in a better position to advise growers what varieties to plant in the various districts for most economical distribution and to meet local and export market requirements.

* Not tree fruits only; includes all fruits in survey.

Note: In the graph at left widths of columns have been’ varied to avoid extreme height of some presentations. Area of columns is the indicator, not height.

Total Plum Plum Lemon Lemon District Total orchards* Apple Pear Apricot Cherry Cherry Nectarine. Nectarine Peach Plum Peach (Europ.) Plum (Europ.) (Jap.) (Jap.) Grapefruit Lemon Grapefruit (std.) Lemon (std.) (Meyer) (Meyer) Orange Orange Motueka 119 76 56 1 4 2 7 13 13 — — — — Mapua .. . .. • 95 89 56 — 2 1 3 9 7 — 2 — — Nelson .. 95 142 89 69 56 48 6 2 4 1 23 3 55 9 13 7 33 — 2 6 — ■ — — Blenheim .. 35 23 13 7 2 6 23 4 5 — 3 — — Christchurch .. 165 100 62 37 15 20 37 46 51 — — — — Timaru and Oauiaru Oauiaru 48 48 19 19 8 8 4 4 2 2 2 2 5 5 2 2 4 4 — — — — — — — — Dunedin .. 33 10 7 — — — — 5 5 1 1 — — ■ — — Roxburgh .. 102 60 54 66 36 56 67 71 67 — — — — Alexandra 189 92 97 181 94 126 158 117 117 — — — — Kaikohe .. 183 23 6 1 1 5 23 — 12 121 39 91 122 Auckland .. 491 233 111 2 — 49 276 19 256 268 117 68 61 Hamilton • .. 53 29 19 8 — 6 29 1 15 4 1 1 1 Tauranga 206 9 7 3 — 7 15 — 6 149 130 77 47 Gisborne 74 74 26 26 24 24 15 15 — — 19 19 38 38 3 3 31 31 32 32 33 33 21 21 42 42 Hastings .. 387 263 218 48 19 126 302 72 225 5 10 — 3 Palmerston North North 31 31 18 18 5 5 — — 2 2 2 2 3 3 1 1 3 3 — — — — — — — — Wairarapa 37 7 5 — 1 — 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 — — — — —— — — — — — : — — — — — — — — Totals . . 2,390 1,146 796 379 181 451 1,042 377 848 579 341 258 278

TABLE 2—DISTRIBUTION OF TREE FRUIT GROWERS BY DISTRICT