Michigan stands out as a prominent hub for cultivating tart cherries in the United States, boasting a staggering 75% of the nation's acreage devoted to this tart cherry variety. The harvesting process for these trees relies on a method known as tree shaking, whereby the cherries are dislodged from the trees using mechanical shaking.
Regrettably, the established method of utilizing mechanical shakers to harvest the cherries comes with its drawbacks. One notable downside is that the trees must mature for 7 to 8 years before they can be harvested. This extended growth period demands a substantial financial investment before any returns can be realized from these new plantings. Additionally, the use of mechanical shakers has the potential to cause harm to the tree trunks, thereby compromising the orchard's longevity.
Oxley Farms, helmed by Ed, Chris, and Rick Oxley, operates a 250-acre tart cherry orchard in Lawton, Michigan. A pivotal moment occurred in 2010 when a hailstorm decimated a 50-acre section of young tart cherry trees. Faced with this setback, the Oxleys sought guidance from Michigan State University Extension, as researchers there were experimenting with alternative high-density planting methods and innovative over-the-row (OTR) harvesting techniques.
They embarked on the creation of a unique machine, drawing inspiration from harvesters used in grape, blueberry, cherry, and coffee production.
La raccoglitrice di ciliegie OTR (Over The Row), costruita su misura, utilizza i denti rotanti per scuotere i frutti dai singoli rami. Foto di Jackie Perkins, Michigan State University.
The Oxleys' latest planting strategy involves spacing trees at intervals of 9 feet along the rows while maintaining a standard row width. This configuration effectively doubles the number of trees per row, while still permitting the use of a trunk shaker once the trees outgrow the OTR method's capacity.
Read the full article: Michigan State University
Image: Michigan State University
13 Jan 2025
Nanocellulose compounds are being tested on several crops, including sweet cherries, grapes and apples. According to research at Washington State University, nanocellulose sprays improve the cold resistance of sweet cherries by 3.6 to 7.2 degrees.
10 Apr 2024
Burro units are fully electrified, allowing to greatly enhance sustainable footprint in operations, with estimated reduction in carbon emissions of up to 80,000kg’s of C02e annually, and 70% reduction in running costs per 40-hectares block of cherries.
30 Jun 2026
At CherryTech 2026, Jordi Casas reviews the Chilean cherry season: lower production, uneven quality, weaker prices and new challenges for Chile, China and global markets. Profitability, varieties and coordinated strategy are now crucial for the industry's future path.
30 Jun 2026
China’s market for Chilean cherries is changing as shoppers prioritize flavor, firmness and food safety over gift purchases. Record exports, tighter standards and wider diversification define the next stage for Chile’s cherry industry after CherryTech 2026 in China.
