For more than two decades, Dr. Tom Toyama quietly got on with his work as stone fruit breeder at Washington State University. Though no variety was released during his tenure from 1963 to 1985, his work has had a significant impact on the Northwest cherry industry. Ten of his cherry selections have been patented and released since he retired. Interviewed by Good Fruit Grower in 1999, Toyama said he was surprised by the success of his selections and he had horticulturist Dr. Ed Proebsting, who evaluated them after he left, to thank for that. “The reason I sat on them […]