Welcome to Cider Research and Education
The cider research program was established at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC in 1979 with 6 cider apple varieties, and today we have more than 65 varieties and are evaluating cultivar performance, orchard establishment, and management practices.
The cider research program has evaluated 73 different cider cultivars. Observations were recorded for vigor, growth habit, disease susceptibility, and fruit and juice quality attributes. Sensory evaluation of some single-varietal ciders was performed by professional cider makers in the region.
Research at the NWREC has included feasibility studies for orchard establishment, establishment for mechanized management, and tree support methods.
Mechanical hedging and mechanical harvest are being evaluated at NWREC for increased labor efficiency in cider apple production.
Optimizing irrigation is critical for conserving water, and research at NWREC has evaluated several conventional methods, as well as a multi-year study on regulated deficit irrigation (RDI).
Graduate research at NWREC has evaluated management and chemical controls of Apple Anthracnose Canker in western Washington.
Perry Pear cultivars on quince rootstock were evaluated at NWREC for bloom density, bloom timing, harvest date, and juice quality attributes. Observations also included disease susceptibility, growth habit, and vigor.
Extension Publications
Orchard Establishment
- Hard Cider Production & Orchard Management in the PNW.
- 2013 Cost Estimation of Establishing a Cider Apple Orchard in Western WA (PDF).
- 2015 Cost Estimates of Establishing and Producing Specialty Cider Apples in Central WA (PDF).
- Feasibility of Different Harvest Methods for Cider Apples Case Study for Western WA (PDF).
- 20 Questions on Establishing a Cider Apple Orchard (PDF).
- Establishing a Cider Apple Orchard for Mechanized Management EM117E (PDF).
- Establishing a Semi-freestanding Cider Apple Orchard: Considerations for Tree Support (PDF).
Mechanization of production
- Yield and Labor Time for Mechanical and Hand Harvested Cider Apples (PDF, 2016).
- Establishing a Cider Apple Orchard for Mechanized Management EM117E (PDF).
Apple Anthracnose
- Anthracnose Canker Integrated Management Plan for Home Gardeners (PDF).
- Anthracnose Canker Management for Commercial Apple Orchards in Western Washington (PDF).
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