Summer pruning – a salvation for olive trees in drought

I spent the last few days of July in my olive grove, struggling with the consequences of the increasingly severe drought. To help my olive trees better withstand these challenging conditions, I decided to do some summer pruning of the so-called “vdopija” on the olive trees.

Most people associate pruning with the early spring months, but in these dry times, summer pruning is a real lifesaver for olive trees. As the sun sets and the temperatures drop a bit, I equip myself with a good pair of shears and get to work in the olive grove.

What are suckers?

Suckers are shoots that grow on the thickest part of the branches or trunk of an olive tree. They are usually upright and strong branches, often bearing a lot of leaves. Although at first glance they seem useful because they increase the leaf mass, in most cases they are undesirable.

Why are suckers a problem?

They consume nutrients and water: Suckers take a large part of the nutrients and water that would otherwise be available to the fruit-bearing parts of the tree.
They reduce the quality of the fruit: Due to the large leaf mass created by suckers, the fruit often does not get enough sun and air, which affects their quality and taste.
They make harvesting difficult: Suckers can make harvesting olives difficult, as they are often found in inaccessible places.
Roses the tree: Suckers can ruin the aesthetic appearance of the tree and give it an untidy appearance.

When and how to cut suckers?

Watering canes are usually cut during spring pruning, however, they grow back by summer, so in the case of summer pruning due to drought, it is a good idea to remove the watering canes during the summer.

When cutting the suckers, it is important to:

Cut them off completely: Do not leave a stump, as a new shoot will grow from it.

Use sharp scissors: Sharp scissors will make a clean cut and reduce the risk of infection.
Be careful not to damage healthy branches: When cutting the suckers, be careful not to damage healthy, fruit-bearing branches.

Why is it important to cut the suckers?

Regularly removing suckers is important for maintaining the health and productivity of the olive tree. This encourages the growth of new, fruit-bearing branches, improves the quality of the fruit, and makes harvesting easier.