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Cherry tree named `MG 200` |
| PP18825 |
Cherry tree named `MG 200`
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Griggs |
| Date Issued: |
May 20, 2008 |
| Application: |
11/599,198 |
| Filed: |
November 13, 2006 |
| Inventors: |
Griggs; Marcus J. (Orondo, WA)
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| Assignee: |
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| Primary Examiner: |
Haas; Wendy C. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
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| Attorney Or Agent: |
Wells St. John P.S. |
| U.S. Class: |
PLT/181 |
| Field Of Search: |
PLT/181 |
| International Class: |
A01H 5/00 |
| U.S Patent Documents: |
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| Foreign Patent Documents: |
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| Other References: |
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| Abstract: |
A new and distinct variety of cherry tree is described and which bears fruit having a red overcolor covering about 80% to 100% of the surface area and a yellow-orange under color, and a mid-season date of ripening which is about 4 days earlier than the `Rainier` and `Early Robin` cherry trees when grown under the conditions prevailing in Central Washington. |
| Claim: |
Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of cherry tree, what I claim is new, and desired to secure by Plant Letters Patent is:
1. A new and distinct variety of cherry treesubstantially as illustrated and described and which bears fruit having a red overcolor covering about 80% to 100% of the surface area, and a yellow-orange undercolor, and a mid-season date of ripening which is about 4 days earlier than the `Rainier` and`Early Robin` cherry trees when grown under the conditions prevailing in Central Washington. |
| Description: |
Genus and Species of the Claimed Variety: Prunus avium L.
Variety Name: `MG 200`.
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of cherry tree `Prunus avium L`, and which has been denominated varietally as MG 200, and more specifically to a cherry tree which matures for harvesting and shipment during themid-season under the environmental conditions prevailing in Central Washington state.
DISCOVERY AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
The present variety of cherry tree was discovered as a whole tree mutation growing within a block of `Rainer` cherry trees (unpatented), and which were planted in 1998. This block of `Rainer` cherry trees had been planted on `Geisla 6` rootstock(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,954). The discovery of the whole tree mutation occurred during the 2001 growing season when the inventor observed that the present tree produced fruit which was different from the neighboring `Rainier` cherry trees (unpatented). The inventor, upon identifying the promising new variety, asexually reproduced the new variety during the dormant season between the years 2001 and 2002 by removing budwood from the promising chance mutation and grafting it into trees then growing on`Geisla 5` and `Geisla 6` rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. Nos. 9,622 and 8,954, respectively), and which were growing in an adjacent block. These asexually reproduced trees later bore fruit and the inventor has carefully compared the asexually reproducedtrees with that of the original chance mutation including the fruit produced by the respective trees. These subsequent evaluations has confirmed that the trees and fruit produced from these asexual reproductions are identical in all respects to theoriginal chance mutation.
SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY
The `MG 200` cherry tree is characterized principally as to novelty to producing cherries which are relatively large in size, and have a red overcolor which covers about 80% to about 100% of the fruit surface area. The fruit of the presentvariety further displays a yellow-orange undercolor. The present variety of cherry tree also produces fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment about 4 days ahead of the `Rainer` variety of cherry tree (unpatented); and the `Early Robin` cherrytree variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,951) of which it is most closely similar.
The present variety of cherry tree has been compared and contrasted to the adjacent `Rainer` cherry trees of the same age, and to the `Early Robin` cherry trees growing in a nearby orchard. The new variety of cherry tree is somewhat similar tothe adjacent `Rainier` cherry trees with respect to its wood, leaf, bloom, fruit flavor, fruit storage life, and bud and bloom cold hardiness. However, the `MG 200` cherry tree can be distinguished from the adjacent `Rainier` cherry trees in view of itsearlier harvesting date, fruit coloring pattern, fruit size, fruit firmness, pit flesh adherence, sweetness and overall crop yields. Still further, in relative comparison to the adjacent `Rainer` cherry trees, the branching habit of the trellised,trained trees of the new variety `MG 200` appears to be more drooping than that displayed by the `Rainier` cherry trees which are growing nearby. Other characteristics which contrast the present new variety with the adjacent `Rainier` cherry trees whichare growing nearby are set forth in the paragraphs which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are color photographs of various aspects of the present cherry tree. The colors are as nearly true as reasonably possible in color representations of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing theleaves and fruit of the present tree may or may not be accurate when compared with the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates provided by The Royal Horticulture Society Colour Chart (3.sup.rdEdition) provided by the Royal Horticulture Society of Great Britain.
FIG. 1 depicts an 8 year old `MG 200` cherry tree in bloom as it is trained to an existing trellis system.
FIG. 2 depicts a typical fruiting branch of the new variety at harvest maturity.
FIG. 3 depicts the mature fruit from the new variety `MG 200` which is shown on the left of the photograph; fruit produced by `Rainer` cherry trees (unpatented) in the center of the photograph; and the fruit produced by the `Early Robin` cherrytree on the right of the photograph.
FIG. 4 depicts the nearly freestone characteristic of the cherries produced by the `MG 200` cherry tree.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring more specifically to the horticultural details of this new and distinct variety of cherry tree, the following characteristics have been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchard of origin which is located nearOrondo, Wash. As indicated, above, all major color code designations are by reference to the Royal Horticulture Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also used occasionally.
TREE
Size.--Generally -- Considered medium to medium large when grown on the dwarfing `Geisla 6` rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,954). The present tree expresses many of the same growth characteristics as the surrounding `Rainer` cherry treeswhich are also growing on `Geisla 6` rootstock. Vigor.--Moderately vigorous and similar to the `Rainer` cherry tree (unpatented), when grown under similar ecological conditions. Average shoot growth expressed on 9 year old trees was about 39.8 cm. when measured at the time of harvest. Branching habit.--When the present variety is trained to a horizontal wire trellis, the branches of the present variety originate substantially in all orientations. The branches of the present variety appear todroop down more than those of the adjacent and similarly trained `Rainer` cherry trees (unpatented). Density.--Considered moderate for the species. The present variety forms many spurs. The spur development appears similar to the adjacent `Rainer`cherry trees. Tree form.--Considered to be round headed. Hardiness.--Considered hardy under the prevailing ecological conditions. The variety appears to have a hardiness equal to the `Rainer` cherry tree when grown in Central Washington. Productivity.--Generally -- During the 2006 growing season, the `MG 200` cherry tree had an average yield of about 35 pounds of cherries per tree. In relative comparison to the adjacent `Rainer` cherry trees growing in the same block, these trees had anaverage yield of about 45 pounds per tree. Regularly of bearing.--Considered regular and consistent.
TRUNK
Size.--Generally considered moderate. When measured at a distance of about 40 cm. above the ground height and when grown on `Geisla 6` rootstock, the trunk had a diameter of about 7.5 cm. Bark texture.--Considered smooth and typical for sweetcherry trees of a similar age. Bark color.--Grey-Purple (RHS 187A). Lenticels.--Generally -- Considered numerous. Lenticels.--Length -- About 6.4 mm.; Width -- 1.5 mm. Lenticels.--Color -- Grey-Orange (RHS 165A).
BRANCHES
Surface texture.--Considered smooth and typical for sweet cherry trees of the same age. Scaffold branches.--Size -- Considered medium for a 9 year old tree growing under similar circumstances. About 2.8 to about 4 cm. in diameter. Crotchangle.--Generally -- About 50 to about 90 degrees. Bark color.--First year wood -- Yellow-Green (RHS 146D). Bark color.--Second year wood -- Grey-Purple (RHS 187B). Bark color.--Scaffold wood -- Grey-Purple (RHS 186C). Branches.--Lenticels -- Onfirst year wood, the lenticels have an average diameter of about 0.5 mm. Lenticels.--Color -- On first year wood, the lenticels have an orange-white color (RHS 159A). Lenticels.--Second year wood -- On average, the lenticels have a length dimension ofabout 1.5 mm. and width dimension of about 0.75 mm. Lenticels color.--Second year wood -- Considered White. This color is not distinctive of the variety. Scaffold wood.--Generally -- The scaffold wood appears to have approximately the same size andcolor characteristics as observed relative to the trunk bark noted, above.
LEAVES
Leaf form.--Considered oblong and having an acuminate tip. Leaf size.--Length -- Approximately 7.2 cm.; width -- about 6.9 cm. Leaf color.--Generally -- Yellow-Green (RHS 147A). Leaf mid-vein.--Considered large and about 11/2 mm. indiameter. Leaf mid-vein color.--The underside color is Green (RHS 142D). Leaf petiole.--Average length -- About 4.1 cm. Leaf surface texture.--Considered glabrous. Leaf marginal form.--Considered doubly serrate. Leaf glands.--Numbers -- Typically 2leaf glands are found on each petiole and are located close to the blade end. Leaf glands.--Size -- About 2 mm. long, and about 1.2 mm. wide. Leaf gland.--Color -- At harvest maturity, the gland color is considered Red-Purple (RHS 61A). Leafstipules.--Generally -- Are normally present, and average about 1 cm. in length.
FLOWERS
Flower buds.--Hardiness -- Considered hardy under the ecological conditions prevailing near Orondo, Wash. This characteristic appears similar to the hardiness characteristic displayed by the `Rainer` cherry trees growing at the same geographiclocation. Flower buds.--Length -- About 8.2 cm. Flower buds.--Diameter -- About 5.2 mm. Flower buds.--Form -- Considered plump and conical. Date of first bloom.--About Apr. 10, 2006 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Orondo, Wash. As ageneral matter, the bloom produced by the `MG 200` cherry tree was indistinguishable from that produced by the `MG 200` cherry tree. Flowers.--Size -- When fully opened, the flowers have an average diameter of about 4.3 cm. Average bloom count.--Thepresent variety displays about 2.6 blooms per bud. Flower petals.--Color -- White. This color is not distinctive of the variety, however. Flower petals.--Width -- About 16.8 mm. Flower petals.--Length -- About 18.2 mm. Nectaries.--Color --Yellow-Green (RHS N144B). Anthers.--Size -- Small and considered oval in shape. The average size of the anthers are about 0.75 mm. wide, and about 1 mm. in length. Anthers.--Color -- Orange (RHS N25D). Pollen production.--Considered moderate. Pollen color.--When mature, the pollen color is Yellow-Orange (RHS 19A). Pedicel.--Average length -- About 4.1 cm. Pedicel color.--Yellow-Green (RHS 144D). Flower sepals.--Form -- Typically curled backwards towards the stem with the tips occasionallytouching the pedicel. Flower pedicel.--Color -- Yellow-Green (RHS 143D).
FRUIT
Maturity when described.--Prior to the 2006 harvesting year, the date of harvesting of the `MG 200` cherry tree was approximately the same time as the adjacent `Rainer` cherry trees, that being an average date of about June 15, under theecological conditions prevailing near Orondo, Wash. In the 2006 harvesting year, the cherries produced by the `MG 200` cherry trees were harvested independently of the `Rainer` cherry trees planted in the same block. The harvest date of `MG 200` wasabout June 23.sup.rd. In contrast, in 2006, the `Rainer` cherry trees were harvested about June 27.sup.th. On average, the present variety of cherry tree is ripe for harvesting and shipment about 4 days earlier than the `Rainer` and `Early Robin`cherry trees growing under substantially identical ecological conditions near Orondo, Wash. Size.--Considered large to the species. As a general matter, the fruit size of `MG 200` cherry tree average 1-1.5 row sizes larger than the fruit produced bythe `Rainer` cherry tree. Average diameter.--Transverse in the suture plane in about 3.4 cm. Average diameter in the apical dimension.--About 2.8 cm. Form.--Generally -- Considered uniform and having a short conical shape. Suture line.--Present, butconsidered very shallow to wanting. Base shape.--Considered rounded. Apex shape.--Rounded to slightly indented. Fruit pressure.--Generally -- The following table of fruit pressures as measured in milligrams per millimeter were recorded at weeklystorage intervals for the fruit produced by the `MG 200`, and `Rainer` cherry trees in the one month following harvest in 2006.
TABLE-US-00001 Date Variety Pressure m.about./mm Jun. 23, 2006 MG 200 240.4 Jun. 27, 2006 Rainier 273.7 Jun. 30, 2006 MG 200 254.8 Jul. 3, 2006 Rainier 292.3 Jul. 7, 2006 MG 200 239.6 Jul. 11, 2006 Rainier 272.4 Jul. 14, 2006 MG 200 247.5Jul. 18, 2006 Rainier 299.4 Jul. 21, 2006 MG 200 251.8 Jul. 25, 2006 Rainier 289.2
Stem.--Average Length -- About 4.4 cm. Stem.--Color -- Green (RHS 138A). Skin.--Thickness -- Considered medium for the species and not particularly distinctive of this variety. Surface texture.--Glabrous. Tenacity to flesh.--Consideredtenacious. Tendency to crack.--Yes. This characteristic is similar to the fruit produced by the `Rainer` cherry trees under similar wet conditions. Down.--Generally -- Wanting. Skin color.--Generally -- Mature fruit coloring expressed by the `MG 200`cherry tree covers a greater percentage of the surface area of the fruit and exhibits considerable difference in hue and chroma than that exhibited by the mature fruit produced by the `Rainier` cherry trees and `Early Robin` cherry trees as seen in thedrawings. In this regard, the overcolor of the present variety is considered red (RHS 53B). The undercolor of the skin is yellow-orange (RHS 18B). Hue, chroma and brix comparisons.--The following represents a comparison between the fruit produced bythe `MG 200`; `Rainer`; and the `Early Robin` cherry trees at harvest maturity at the same geographical location:
TABLE-US-00002 Average Average Average Variety Harvest Date Hue Chroma Brix MG 200 Jun. 23, 2006 32.1 42.5 17.84 Rainier Jun. 27, 2006 55.5 37.5 15.28 Early Robin Jun. 27, 2006 76.8 37.5 16.72
Flesh color.--Yellow (RHS 2D). Pit cavity.--Color -- Yellow (RHS 2D). Flesh texture.--Considered moderately firm and juicy. While the present variety is considered firm, the firmness of the fruit is not equal to that of the `Rainer` cherrytrees when grown under the same ecological conditions. Flesh fibers.--Generally -- Present. They are average and have no mouth feet. Date of ripening.--About 4 days earlier than the `Rainier` cherry trees at the same geographical location. In thisregard, the present variety ripened for harvesting and shipment approximately Jun. 12, 2004; Jun. 15, 2005; and Jun. 25, 2006. Flesh flavor.--Considered sweet and moderately low acid. Flesh Aroma.--Considered slight. Eating quality.--Consideredexcellent.
STONE
Stone type.--Considered nearly free-stone. In comparison, the stone of the `Rainier` cherry trees are more adhering to the flesh. Still further, the fruit produced by the `Early Robin` cherry tree exhibit a tight adherence of the flesh to thestone, and is therefore considered to be a cling-stone. Please see FIG. 4. Stone size.--Considered medium for the species. Stone diameter.--Approximately 12.8 mm. when measured from the apex to the base; 9.6 mm. when measured between the sutures;and about 7.7 mm. in diameter when measured between the sides. Stone form.--Generally -- Oval with one small wing protruding along the basal shoulder, and along the ventral suture. The small wing is located between two low ridges. Base.--Shape --Slightly oblong. Helium.--Shape -- Slightly oblong. Apex.--Shape -- Rounded. Sides.--Generally -- They typically appear equal. Surface texture.--Considered smooth. Ventral edge.--Generally -- About 1.5 mm. wide. The ventral edge is furthersubtended by two lower ridges which converge basally and apically. These narrow sutures average about 6 mm. wide at their mid-point. Dorsal edge.--Generally -- This feature appears as a sharp, smooth and slightly raised ridge which extends from thebase to the apex. Stone color.--Yellow-Orange (RHS 18D). Tendency of split.--Not observed. Fruit use.--Considered an early season cherry for premium fresh markets. Keeping quality.--Generally considered excellent and equal to the fruit produced bythe `Rainer` cherry tree. Resistance to insects and diseases.--No deficiencies noted. The present variety appears to have the same disease and insect resistance as that of the `Rainer` cherry trees when grown under the ecological conditions common toCentral Washington. Shipping quality.--Considered very good and similar to that of the `Rainier` cherry tree.
Although the new cherry tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the conditions prevailing in Central Washington, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes ingrowing conditions, fertilization, pruning and pest control are to be expected.
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