I could not start with another photo, but with this one where @fotostef has become one with the tree. I hadn't realized how funny it was until editing it. @fotostef is working hard and I am taking photos, at least for a while before I start my job.
These is olive trees pruning period. The weather has been very unstable and usually we would have finished by now. Pruning for these trees is recommended until the end of March.
I would like to share what we have learnt about this theme in the last 8 years. Most of the "advices" apply to all king of pruning, not only olive trees.
- When you go for pruning, be in a good mood! Any plant that will come in your hands is an ally, keep it smooth and friendly with respect and love.
- Observation is very important. How has the tree grown already? What is its shape, orientation and neighbors? You don't want to cut too much a tree that has bigger trees around for example.
- Every tree is different and so is every field. Be sure that you take this into consideration every time, pruning is a creative work and needs to be done according to each case.
- Don't try to do it all at once. Sometimes you will cut some branches and next year you will cut others. Don't rush! They take time to grow and every pruned branch is a branch that will definitely won't have fruits :)
- Try to avoid horizontal cuttings. They could hold the water on and maybe fungal infections could appear. Keep a slight incline when you cut a branch.
- When you cut a big branch, first make a small cut at the bottom part. Then cut from top to bottom. This way you will avoid any injury of the plant caused by the weight of the wood falling down.
- Clearing the vertical branches, will allow the juices of the tree to go to all parts and not only in the vertical ones that use to take all the power and are called greedy ones.
- It is important to have free space in the center of the tree for the sun and for good ventilation. The old wise farmers say that a bird should be able to fly through the branches, and this is a nice criterion.
- Follow the movement of the moon and take into consideration when the juices are up (to avoid pruning) and when they are down (best time for pruning).
The first tree of the day. Before...
In between...
And after.
You must have noticed that there is no dramatic change. The whole work has been done in the interior.
And that's my humble job. To create paths for the chopper to come through and to rearrange all the branches that have fallen in a way that they can be quickly thrown into the chopper and that under each tree the space will be free to welcome the wood chip.
These trees have a different shape, so a different pruning as well. Plus they are way younger than the first one.
Observe, observe, observe!
And climb... Stefanos is already thinking of how he will be climbing on these trees in a few years. And it's true. We'll need a pole saw for sure.
Markos finds it weird sometimes, although he is brought up in farming works.
Cutting with incline for the water to run and avoid fungal infections.
These photos were taken two days ago on a very hot day!
Bees were extremely busy and flowers are blossoming!
We keep all the wild vegetation on the empty parts of the olive grove, but also amongst the trees. Balance is a complicated issue and Nature knows best how to keep it, so we try not to interfere too much.
Happy gardening everyone!
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I learned a lot today, that olive pruning is not just as easy as climbing an olive tree then cutting whatever parts you wanted.
Thank you so much @afterglow for your beautiful comment!
It's not that easy, yes :) But not extremely complicated either. With practice everything becomes familiar!
The most important, as with everything in gardening and life in general I guess, is to be approached with respect and clear mind!
Well said, thank you for that word of wisdom.
There is a saying here in Greece:
I say it, so that I can hear it too!
Thanks @afterglow!
You're welcome (^_^)
Good advice! We need to prune our olives, but they aren't anywhere near as old as yours! I also need to throw some rotted chook manure underneath them as they help them fruit, well that's my experience anyway..
Thank you sweet @riverflows! I find pruning creative, but I can't handle the chainsaw when I am on the tree, so I have ended up doing the cleaning, haha!
Chook manure is said to be the strongest, so I definitely believe that your observation is right! Not to mention how much tastier all fruits are with the manure in general! The most characteristic for me is tomatoes! Wow! With and without manure, the result on the same plant is unbelievable!
I didn't know you had olives. That means that you have a harvest in a couple of months, nice!