Technical Abstract: Nutrient supply in organic systems is dependent on mineralization of organic matter; however, the intensive cultivation commonly used to control weeds can disrupt biological processes and cause undue loss of organic matter. Here we address the often-competing goals of organic fertility and weed control by evaluating alternative orchard floor management strategies for their impact on N cycling, soil quality, and tree performance in a newly established apple orchard. The standard practice of weed control using extensive tillage resulted in good tree growth with acceptable levels of leaf N and most other nutrients; conversely, soil quality did not improve. Maintenance of a living cover understory increased soil N content and availability and improved soil quality, but reduced tree growth. Application of wood chip mulch in the tree understory resulted in adequate tree growth, but it also facilitated N loss and correspondingly resulted in low tree leaf N. Clove oil herbicide provided poor weed control and resulted in lower leaf N and tree growth likely due to weed competition and did not improve soil quality. Although Brassicaceae seed meal applications enhanced N availability and soil nematode abundance, leaf N and many other nutrients were below acceptable levels. None of the treatments applied produced an ideal combination of weed control, maximum tree growth, adequate leaf nutrient content, and improved soil quality. Rather, soil quality improvements tended to be achieved at the expense of tree performance.