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<pre>Hi,
we are Andrew & Val Brown located in Adelaide, South Australia. We are
in the process of trying to find a suitable property on which to plant
about 10ha of olives. So we will not be able to contribute anything as
yet.
What we have done so far is talk to a lot of people as well as research
the subject through the internet and various libraries.
We have a distant cousin who has about 10ha under cultivation at
Mypolonga on the Murray and is coming up to his fourth year. He has a
very well managed grove and is a good mentor.

In our research we learn many things only to have them refuted by
others. For example the recommended planting distances are 8m x 5m. Then
we find that several growers have chosen 7m x 5m and in one case 6m x
6m. As I understand it wo factors are involved:
1. To allow enough room for machine harvesting. Has anyone got
experience that says that the higher densities (such as 300 treess to
the ha) precludes mechanical harvesting. What is the densest spacing
possible (I don't want to consider monconical pruning).
2. As the trees get older and spread, the higher densities will affect
the health of the trees ( 10- 15 years plus).

So it's nice to meet you all. Let me hear your comments on spacing. I
will have many more questions as we go. Hopefully some time down the
track when someone else joins the discussion group I will be able to
contribute as a result of what I learn now.

I do believe that we should be promoting our regions just as the wine
industry has eg Hunter Valley, Barossa and Mclaren Vale etc. The sooner
we can get the rest of the world to recognise oils from our regions, be
they Frantoio, Manzanillo, the better.

Andrew & Val Brown
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<pre>Hi Andrew and Val,

Unless you already have it I would suggest you obtain a copy of Dr Michael
Burr's second edition of his olive growing book. I don't actually have my
copy yet but I have been talking to Michael about tree planting densities
and he would have a lot of information for you. He is also in Adelaide and
is currently the vice president of the Australian Olives Association.

Contact details if you want them or Michael might even pop up on this
discussion group.

Regards,

Phil Bramley
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<pre>Thanks Phil. Have read some of his stuff but not the full book yet.
However I am looking for your experience rather than the writings in books. What
have you done and what sort of results have you got. Why did you choose your
particular configuration. Have your original reasons been justified. What is the
real practicalities her.


Andrew & Val

Phil Bramley wrote:

> From: "Phil Bramley" <bramleyp@one.net.au>
>
> Hi Andrew and Val,
>
> Unless you already have it I would suggest you obtain a copy of Dr Michael
> Burr's second edition of his olive growing book. I don't actually have my
> copy yet but I have been talking to Michael about tree planting densities
> and he would have a lot of information for you. He is also in Adelaide and
> is currently the vice president of the Australian Olives Association.
>
> Contact details if you want them or Michael might even pop up on this
> discussion group.
>
> Regards,
>
> Phil Bramley
>
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</pre>
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