Alley

Average nut quality of test trees.

History

This cultivar was selected by Mrs. C.H. Alley of Scranton, Miss. The nut, from an unknown tree, was given to her in 1871. She planted it in a box in 1871, and in 1872 transplanted the seedling to her garden. It began bearing at about the 9th year and with time, obtained the reputation of being a steady and prolific bearer. In 1896 F.H. Lewis, Scranton, Miss., began propagating 'Alley' for sale. At one time, 'Alley' was popular in southwest Georgia and north Florida. In the southeastern United States, 'Alley' was one of the "big four" in the 1920's, along with 'Pabst', 'Schley' and 'Stuart'. 'Alley' is the male parent of 'Caddo' which is recommended for Georgia. (Sparks, 1992).

Comments

*Note: This is an older cultivar planted in the Old Variety Test at the Tifton Campus. Trees were planted decades ago when care was very different than it is now, and trees received much less care, so production data will reflect this fact. Trees began receiving insecticides in 1962, fungicides in 1970, nitrogen in 1962, and drip irrigation in 1975. The data for this cultivar was collected by several individuals, but the bulk of the data and the comments are from my predecessor Dr. Ray Worley. This information was originally published here: Worley and Mullinix, 1997.

This is a venerable older cultivar that was once very popular. 'Alley' is similar to 'Stuart' in size and quality. Scab and black aphid control are often a problem. Scab susceptibility was one of the reasons this cultivar fell out of favor. Generally the tree has too many problems to make it profitable to grow in commercial orchards. One of the best of the older cultivars though.

• Pollen shed and pistil receptivity

Production record of test trees beginning in year planted

'Alley' production from the Old Variety Test. Each colored line represents the yearly production in pounds of nuts from an individual tree beginning the year planted.

Alternate Bearing Intensity* = 0.74

*Computed from mature trees using data from years after trees began receiving fertilizer and pesticide sprays.