August in the Olive Grove

We have got through the Big Wet and now can enjoy our lovely blue sky Marlborough days, hopefully!!  With all the rain we got in July you will have noticed any drainage problems around your trees.  Olive trees do not like wet feet so now is a good time to improve drainage and get rid of wet spots while the ground is soft.
If you are wanting to move any of your trees this is the best month to do so with the trees being close to dormant.  Larger trees should have a third of their top and sides removed at replanting to help with re-establishment.  Stake well to ensure the roots are disturbed as little as possible.
Preparation for planting new trees can start but hold back planting until later in the month when it’s a bit warmer. 
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It’s now time to prune those olive trees.
Pruning is probably the biggest job of the year in the olive grove, it is also arguably the most important. When pruning for olive production you need to understand the trees fruit bearing habit and the effects of pruning on tree growth.

• Olives are produced on last season’s vegetative growth in the presence of sunlight
• Production is mainly confined to the outer 60 - 80cm shell of the tree canopy on one year old wood
• Few fruit are produced in the shaded interior of the tree or within dense clumps of foliage
• The most productive shoots are 20-30cm long.  Short or excessively vigorous shoots are often unproductive
• Pruning decreases the number of current seasons shoots but stimulates subsequent shoot growth
• Pruning induces new growth close to the cut by increasing the amount of nitrogen available to the remaining growing part
• Cuts on larger diameter wood will cause excessive localised growth of new shoots
• Well distributed cuts on small diameter wood will spread the stimulus over the whole tree

The desired outcomes of pruning are to:

• Get rid of dead, damaged, non-productive wood and detritus which can harbour disease
• Remove any crossed branches, water shoots/suckers and so concentrate the trees energy into the productive branches
• Open the tree up to light and airflow which helps to reduce disease and grow fruit
• Aid with accessibility of crop at harvest time by keeping the canopy low and open
• Encourage new growth which is necessary for the following years crop. 

Get out into your grove on a dry, sunny day with a good set of secateurs, loppers and a pruning saw.  Take some pruning paste as well to seal off any large cuts on old wood.  Consider the tree shape you want, the size you want and the crop you would like next year.  Each tree is different so make it a thoughtful process aimed at getting the best outcome for your tree.  You will be rewarded. 

Drastic prune for reshape              Regrowth after 12 months             Thinning & reshape