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
27 Aug 2024
The glands first served only as a taxonomic feature–before research revealed their ecological function. Extrafloral nectaries–nectar–producing glands physically apart from the flower–have been identified in at least 2000 plant species in more than 64 families.
08 Nov 2023
Peruvians face several challenges, but according to Gerd Burmester, director of Vecs Peru, there are several reasons for this negative result, but the main one has to do with the selected varieties, which are not adapted to the country's climatic conditions.
21 Nov 2025
Cracking in sweet cherry fruits poses major challenges for growers. This article explores the physiological causes, effective mitigation strategies, and the most resistant cherry cultivars to improve fruit quality and commercial value in a sustainable way.
21 Nov 2025
Peru is betting on cherries as its next major export crop. After a decade of trials, six Andean regions are testing adaptable varieties. The long-term goal is to enter the Chinese market, currently dominated by Chile, leveraging the new Chancay megaport for faster delivery.
