RENT-A-TREE
 "Rent-A-Tree" is a relatively new
idea in pick-your-own marketing of
fruit. It has been used in Germany
and some other European countries in
the past 10 to 15 years, and is being
tried by growers in several states. A
Michigan grower with two-years' expe-
rience indicates "rent-a-tree" can add
to other pick-your-own or farm market
business. He doubts that it can be jus-
tified as the only farm marketing ven-
ture. The "rent-a-tree" idea could per-
haps, also be used for a row of straw-
berries, tomatoes, pickles or other
produce.


SPELL OUT THE TERMS
 In the typical "rent-a-tree" arrange-
ment, the grower rents an apple or
other fruit tree to a family for one sea-
son. The renter is free to visit his tree
in the orchard and use the picnic area
as often as he desires. He and his fam-
ily must adhere strictly to the printed
rules and posted signs. Among other
things, the rules state the hours of the
day and the days of the week the
orchard is open for visiting. Also in-
cluded should be specific areas where
picnicking, hiking and other activities
are permitted and the areas where visi-
tors are not to go. The grower does all
pruning, fertilizing, spraying and oth-
er cultural practices, and provides lad-
ders for harvesting. The renter is noti-
fied when his tree is ready to pick and
harvests all the fruit from his tree. All
the fruit may be picked at one time, or
he may pick the riper fruit first and
then return to pick again as more
matures. An identification card is pro-
vided for each tree renter. This card
bears a number that corresponds with
the number on his tree. The signed
rental contract should state plainly the
rights and privileges of the renter along
with restrictions he must adhere to. It
should also state what the grower will
do regarding tree care, grounds main-
tenance, etc. A clause should be insert-
ed giving the orchard owner the right
to cancel the contract and refund the
rental fee in case the tree renter or his
family does not follow the agreed-to
rules of conduct.


 The grower cannot avoid liability for
injuries that occur on his property by
posting signs saying, "not responsible
for injuries". He can, however, limit
activities and areas that are covered in
the rental agreement. This would put
the "rent-a-tree" customer in the posi-
tion of trespassing in restricted areas
and would certainly make a claim for
injuries incurred on unauthorized parts
of the farm less likely to be collectable.
Conditions such as how well areas are
marked and how specific the rental
contract is written all affect grower
liability. It is wise to do everything
possible to avoid any likelihood of an
accident. Good maintenance of road-
ways, fencing of dangerous areas, and
eradication of poison ivy and other poi-
sonous plants can be helpful. A friend-
ly visit with the "rent-a-tree" fam-
ily, pointing out interesting as well as
hazardous features of the farm will go
a long way toward avoiding problems.

SPECIAL FACTORS
 Experience shows several factors
which will make the "rent-a-tree" idea
work better. The orchard should be
somewhat secluded so that other fruits
or crops are not likely to be damaged
by inquisitive children of the renter
family. A nearby picnic site and wood-
ed area with hiking trails adds greatly
to the recreational value of renting a
tree. Areas where grass and weeds
grow should be kept neatly mowed
and the place should have a well kept
appearance.
 The grower and his employees must
have the ability to work with people.
Spraying, mowing and other cultural
operations in or near the "rent-a-tree"
part of the farm should be done at
times that will not interfere with visit-
ing hours or on visiting days. This will
require planning and perhaps some
adjusting of work schedules. A sizable
farm with interesting scenes and well
maintained and marked roads to drive
through to reach the rental tree adds
much to the fun of a farm visit.
 Someone must be available all dur-
ing the growing and harvesting season
to check tree renters in and out. This
protects both parties to the agreement
from unauthorized visitors.


 Anyone who rents a fruit tree, be-
comes in effect, part of the farming
operation. The pride of being a grower
and possessing a bit of the countryside
is attractive to many. This aspect of
the agreement is often the part most
highly valued by the renter. The fruit
produced then becomes an added
bonus. It should be plainly stated in
the rental contract that no specific
amount or quality of fruit is guaran-
teed. Hail, freezes, wind storms and
excessive rain or drought are risks
inherent in farming and are therefore
assumed by the tree renter.
 The tree rental fee is sometimes cal-
culated using the expected production
of the tree when sold at the going
retail price. In this way the grower
sells the farm privilege as part of the
price for tree rental. Another way of
arriving at a rental fee for a fruit tree
is to take the expected production at
the regular pick-your-own price, then
add a farm privilege factor. In this
way the renter of a small tree or one
of a lower value variety would pay the
same for the farm privilege as the
renter of a tree with more or higher
value fruit. It would be wise to move
slowly into "rent-a-tree" so manage-
ment problems can be fully assessed
and policies developed to meet the
various situations before or as they
arise. Since the recreational value of
renting a tree is perhaps the biggest
consideration, the farm privilege can
be, and sometimes is, sold separately,
on a yearly basis. It then is used much
as the membership in other recreation-
al facilities such as a country club or
yacht club.
 Nearness to home will be a distinct
advantage from a cost and travel time
standpoint for the "rent-a-tree" cus-
tomer. Areas remote from most poten-
tial customers will likely have less suc-
cess. An exception would be a resort
area where families and retired people
own second homes and spend summer
months. In this case, "rent-a-tree" could
fill a recreational need and would be
an added attraction for the area. Many
untried possibilities for variations of
the "rent-a-tree" concept will perhaps
develop to combine the recreation
business with fruit marketing in future
years.


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