Rising labour costs are forcing cherry growers in Germany to think about their training system. Especially at harvesting labour costs are an important factor. According to cherry expert Peter Hilsendegen of DLR Rheinpfalz in Oppenheim, a cherry picker in a spindle orchard picks on average 20 kg per hour. In a narrow hedge, picking performance is at 25 kg per hour according to Hilsendegen. Over against the advantages of a narrow hedge there is the disadvantage that this training system has higher investment costs.