Mature hedgerows of 'Anjou' pear (Pyrus communis L.) trees, planted no
rth (N)-south (S) or east (E)-west (W), were used to study the effect
of hedgerow orientation OD fruiting and canopy exposure. In 1990, flow
er bud density tended to be lower on the E-W rows, especially on their
N sides. Fruit set (FS) was highest on the S side of E-W rows and low
est on the N side, while the E and W sides of the N-S rows were interm
ediate. Crop density (CD) had a similar pattern as FS, with more fruit
on the S than on the N side of the E-W rows. CD was more evenly distr
ibuted between the sides on the N-S hedgerows. Differences in FS and C
D between sides were related to different levels of sunlight intercept
ion. Light exposure was lowest on the N sides of the E-W rows and high
est on the S sides throughout the growing season and especially toward
the equinoxes. Increased exposure to the sun on the S and W sides lat
e in the season led to more fruit with solar injury. Fruit from E-W ro
ws were larger and less firm. Accumulated yields over 11 years showed
a 21.4% increase in the N-S rows over those of the E-W rows.