The orchard floor is managed to provide satisfactory conditions for both the tree root system and farm machinery. The choice of a particular system to achieve this aim depends on a number of factors. The topography and climate of the orchard site are considered. The influence of the orchard floor management system on the soil condition, moisture and nutrient availability, beneficial soil fauna, pest/predator complexes, the fruit tree nutritional status, and weed suppression through possible allelopathic affects are also taken into account. Eleven preemergence herbicide treatments were applied at two commercial orchards, located in Hoges Chapel, Virginia and Daleville Virginia to evaluate the influence of the treatments on weed control and new shoot growth of newly transplanted and one-year-old apple and peach trees. The weed control ratings and observations showed that a broader spectrum of control could be achieved with a combination of herbicides than with any herbicide applied alone. The control of annual weed species was excellent with several treatments, but the use of certain herbicides appeared to release a number of perennial species. Consequently, season long control was often not achieved. There were few initiations of any herbicide injury to the young trees. / M. S.