Damage to Olive Trees from the Snow

Damage to trees from the snow - Guidelines olive

Heavy snowfalls and strong winds have caused serious problems in trees of many regions of the country. The Olive Tree Institute of Subtropical Plant & Vine gives instructions to address the problems and prevent such situations.

Management of broken branches

Direct producers when they see branches broken due to the weight of snow and strong winds should smooth the cuts that have been created using a chainsaw. This will stop the decay of the tree.
Then it is necessary to cover with special salve the wound caused by the break to reduce the risk of a timber of diseases and rot. Then proposed spray the trees with copper and whitewashing major branches exposed to the sun.
garden waste
Besides fractures branches that are the direct damage, the damage will be seen later is drying branches of frosting that will reduce the productivity of the trees in the coming years. Spring will start new growth and will see which branches are losers become garden waste by removing dry branches by cutting to healthy wood. Then proposed spray the trees with copper.

Through harvest

Although synthetic nets damaged by the falling broken branches not recommended their gathering whenever expected bad weather because it is unprofitable.
fruit and olive oil quality
In addition, producers should be aware that the oil quality is adversely affected by the snow, because the fruit freezes and rot and for this reason should be direct harvest the fruit and extract the oil.

Fertilizing with nitrogen

If the removal of broken branches corresponding to a heavy pruning, the fertilization program that relates to the maintenance of olive trees, modified to emphasize the nitrogen fertilization, limiting the use of potassium to the trees to return to normal production. Note that existing nutrient deficiencies have been diagnosed by soil and leaf analysis should be addressed regardless of the extent of damage by snow.
Removal of cut branches
The cuttings should by the end of March to have been removed from the grove or sprayed with an appropriate insecticide to prevent attacks from woodworm. The new vegetation should be protected against attacks by various pests and diseases as margaronia (Margaronia unionalis, Figure C), P. oleae (Prays oleae), mites, household. Eriophyidae, kikidomyga of olive shoots (Resseliella oleisuga) by chemical treatment until able to complete the configuration of the crown.

damage prevention measures

• The autumnal spray with copper harden vegetation.
• Reducing autumn nitrogen fertilization contributes to not have new tender vegetation in winter.
• The harvesting of fruit Koroneiki be made no later than the end of December and Tsounati and Thrompolias from nets before the expected weather.
• To prune the trees to a height of 4 meters in Koroneiki and up to 5-6 meters in Tsounati Thrompolia and to reduce the risk of branches breaking from strong winds and snow.

Source: www.ellinikigeorgia.gr