How do you prune an ancient tree? Are the same techniques used as traditional plants used or are different precautions needed?
Will try to answer these questions, with an exercise in the field, George Panels (in the picture), the most authoritative pruning expert in Italy, in a meeting promoted by Aioma – the Interregional Olive Association of the Middle Adriatic – in collaboration with Assam e Olive Pruning School. the meeting, the first of its kind in Italy, will be held at the end of the month in the Marche region with almost all places sold out. And therefore, for the benefit of all the olive growers who have centuries-old trees, we could not fail to ask Pannelli for some curiosities about it.
Dr. Panelli, how did the idea of this initiative come about?
“The mission is to commit ourselves to respecting the world around us starting with those who were there before us, such as the secular olive trees. A commitment, among other things, not only moral, given that it is fully part of the objectives of the new CAP”.
Explain us better.
“The new CAP decrees the overcoming of greening and provides for the introduction of eco-schemes, the new ecological schemes which, on a voluntary basis, can annually generate a decoupled surface payment in favor of farmers for the execution of some beneficial practices for the climate and the environment. This is the most important novelty of the 2023-2027 CAP, which requires knowledge, innovation and careful evaluation. And among the specific objectives of eco-scheme 3 on the safeguarding of olive trees of particular landscape value there is precisely the obligation of annual pruning of the foliage according to established criteria”.
A preparatory course, therefore, for the new vision that Europe requires?
"Exactly, this course is proposed as a precursor of an innovative system of managing olive trees and olive groves in compliance with the economic needs of the producer, the physiological needs of the olive tree and the ecological needs of the environment.".
Let's get into it: what advice would you like to give to prune an ancient tree?
“It is essential to always safeguard the volume of the tree, trying to concentrate the crown around the center of gravity. Then, avoid excessive raising and excessive spreading of the plant, but without altering the balance between the crown and roots. These are techniques that allow the centuries-old plant to regain vigor, beauty and functionality. A benefit not only for the plant”.
Why not just for the plant?
“Because, on closer inspection, the physical and mental health of the olive growers themselves benefits. People relax with pruning, it's an activity that satisfies you, makes you satisfied. You feel part of the system, you are a maintainer of this system, not a destroyer. Without forgetting that knowing how to make the best use of what we have, such as secular olive trees, creates a value that is not only agronomic, but also historical, cultural, landscape, environmental. In a word: multifunctional”.
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