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in 1983. Along with the increasing prefer- ence for shelled walnuts, the older Payne variety (15.2 percent) and the newer Ashley (6.5 percent), Serr (11.2 percent), Vina (3.0 percent), and Chico (1.5 percent) have increased their share of the state's walnut acreage. Some of the newer varieties have a high kernel yield, bear early in a tree's life, and produce heavy crops. Location of Production At the beginning of the 19208, three- fourths of the state's walnut acreage was located in the southern coastal counties, with 30 percent of the total in Los Angeles County and 17 percent in Orange County. Although southern California walnut acreage remained at approximately 80,000 acres until just before World War II, acreage increased else- where in the state. Rapid divestiture in southern California walnut acreage began and continued long after the war (Figure 36). Higher production costs, increased competi- tion from alternative crops, pest infestations, higher yield potentials elsewhere, and rapid urbanization accelerated tree removals. Southern California's lovely level orchards with large handsome shade trees and good access roads proved ideal for suburban development. Central Coast postwar acreage, pri- marily Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Lake counties increased rapidly at first, peaking in 1958, and then declined gradually as urbani- zation began in earnest there, particularly in Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties. Central Valley bearing acreage with its relative freedom from urban pressure, less costly water and land resources, and fewer diseases has increased steadily in both the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys (Figure 36). Growth in San Joaquin Valley acreage was widespread, centering around Stockton, Modesto, and Visalia. In the Sacramento Valley production has centered around Yuba City -Marysville, Colusa, Chico, and Red Bluff. Trends in Acreage, Yields, and Production As can be seen comparing Figures 36 and 37A, the state's aggregate acreage figures mask the radical shifts in location that have occurred. Rapid increases in Cen- 961 13.3-35 tral Valley acreage have more than offset declines in the Southern California and Cen- tral Coast regions. Yield trends moved slightly upward until the early 1970a when a more pro. nounced increase is seen, albeit with wider fluctuations about the average (Figure 37B). Closer planting of trees, more highly produc- tive varieties, improved irrigation and insect control, and better pruning practices are some of the factors responsible for the gen. eral upward trend. The pronounced yield increases of the 19709 are likely associated with the maturing of the trees in the Central Valley. Production patterns over time reflect those of yields but are also moved upward by the increase in bearing acreage (Figure 37C). The all-time high of 225,000 tons in 1981 was surpassed the next year with 234,000 tons. The 1983 production was down somewhat to 199,000 tons, but still above the tonnage of 1980. Preliminary figures for 1984 show pro. duction matching the 1981 level. These large crops have resulted in substantial carryovers and marketing problems.