Peach tree growth, yield, and profitability as influenced by tree form andtree density

'Norman' peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees were trained to the centr al-leader or open-vase form and were planted at high (740 trees/ha), or low (370 trees/ha) density. A third density treatment was a HIGH --> LOW densi ty, where alternate trees in high-density plots were removed after 6 Sears to produce a low-density treatment. From 3 to 5 Sears after planting, trunk cross-sectional areas (TCA) increased most for low-density trees. After 9 years, TCA was greatest for low-density and least for high-density trees. B ecause of differences in tree training, central-leader trees were taller th an open-vase trees and tree spread was greater for low-density than for hig h-density trees. Annual yield per hectare was 15 % to 40% greater for high- density treatments than for low-density treatments, but tree form had littl e influence on yield. Average fruit weight tended to be greater for low-den sity than for high-density treatments, but cumulative marketable yield was greatest for high-density and lowest for HIGH --> LOW treatments. Income mi nus costs for 9 years was nearly $4200/ha higher, and net present value was about $2200/ha higher, for open-vase than for central-leader trees (P = 0. 08). Cumulative net present value for the 9 years was about $2660/ha higher for high- than for low-density trees (P = 0.36).