From: london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London)
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture,bionet.plants,rec.gardens,misc.rural
Subject: Re: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC SITUATION
Date: 16 Dec 92 18:28:29 GMT
Followup-To: bionet.agroforestry
Distribution: bionet
Organization: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill


In article <01GSDRL3058W8Y5L0E@clust1.clemson.edu> WMILLER@PRISM.CLEMSON.EDU 
writes:
>I am a blueberry grower located in Pickens County South Carolina 
>(western corner).  I am interested in switching to to 
>agroforestry system for reduction in frost risk along with 
>several other reasons.  The current system is grassed middles on 
>a highly erodible site.  It is in it's 10 leaf.   
>
>There is 5 acres of blueberries, we are adding 1.5 acres of 
>blackberries over the next 2 years.  Will also add raspberries in 
>the future.  We are a pick-your-own with limited chain stores 
>sales for a secondary market.  We are a small family business.  
>We are "sundowners".   The soils have a residual pH of about 5.2 
>unlimed; range from poor to excessive internal drainage within a 
>30 meters; have good surface drainage.  PHYTOPHTHORA CINNAMONI is 
>present.  Rainfall about 1100 mm a year.  Low temp. about 5-10 f 
>about once or twice a year.  Additioal information available on 
>request. 
>
>The gist of our thinking so far is frost is a significant risk 
>factor.  Bushes protected form the north sky by trees 
>consistently produce provided they have at 60% sunlight and root 
>competition is not a factor.  Thoughts - consultation with local 
>ag meteorologist suggests east west rows at about 100 to 120 ft 
>intervals.  Some Soil Conservation Service information suggest 
>50% porosity to wind and similar spacing and direction.  Clemson 
>University Extension forestry suggest loblolly pine.  It is 
>tolerant of pore drainage and and does not form epicormic shoots, 
>therefore would limbing up to maintain air drainage under canopy 
>and side limbing to keep it narrow.  Needles could be thrown to 
>row middles as mulch.   
>
>To be profitable, because of competition losses, there needs to 
>be interim product(s) as well as terminal product and cyclic 
>procedure. How about naval stores ie loblollyxlongleaf hybrids?  
>How about nut pines (Korean?)?  Should they be grafted? Whitepine 
>rootstock?  What about nursery sources of the above.  How about 
>the blackberry psyllid.  Pines seems to make sense as they have a 
>canopy during critical spring frosts but we have noted that 
>hardwoods are effective also.  Have thought about chestnuts but 
>wonder if they have the right tree shape(?) would not be to 
>competitive in terms of root system(?) and also have problems 
>with epicormic shoots. How about compatibility(ie alleopathy)?  
>Loblolly is reported associate okay/well with ericaceous plants. 
>
>I/we would love to here ideas and observations with supporting 
>literature and references that will bear up under scientific 
>scrutiny.  We are trying to make our production system 
>sustainable economically, environmentally and socially.  We do 
>use plant pharmaceuticals and are very conscious of their 
>characteristics with regards to environment and safety to all. 
>
>This maybe outside the intent of this reflector.  If so just give 
>it the old DEL. 
>Many thanks for your input.
>Walker Miller, Wmiller@Clust1.clemson.edu 
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture