permaculture

[FranksFarm <FranksFarm@aol.com>]

Hi, Rob, Akivaw

Great topic!
I too am very interested in the replies to your question. Would you please be
kind of enough to post all responses to the list. Happy Holidays to all. frank
Requoted below:
<<I am looking for some permaculture information pertaining to deciduous
(stone) fruit trees.  We have a mix of apricots, plums, peaches, 
nectarines,
pluots, apples, and Asian pears coming soon.  I have three areas of 
inquiry:

1.  On our soil, I think we can dry farm (or nearly so) the stone fruit
orchard we have planned.  Any thoughts?

2.  I'm looking for low or no pruning methods for the culture of these
trees.  Conventional practice requires heavy, detailed pruning annually.  
Is
there a permaculture alternative to this approach?  Why is it that some
"abandoned" fruit trees bear so much nice fruit?

3.  Tree spacing and patterns.  Most orchards are set out in neat, 
straight
rows.  At home, I've always grown trees, herbs, and vegetables in 
groups, or
blocks, or other patterns to fit the landscape.  Is this feasible on a
larger scale?  Also, is there an advantage to having a "fruit forest"
pattern, with canopy cover over most of the soil, as opposed to open 
strips
between rows?>>