<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>Does any fellow subscribers know anything about staking olive trees?
My questions are:
1. How high should the stakes be?
2. What are we trying to achieve by staking?
3. Should the stakes be semi-flexible to allow for the root to
strengthen?
4. If the stakes are too high will the tree branches rub against them?
5. What is a good thickness for a stake?
6. Are round ones better than square ones?
7. What should they be tied to the stake with?
8. Is it beneficial if the "tie" can slide up the stake with the tree as
it grows?
9. If the stake is too rigid will the tree become dependent on the stake
therefore
becoming a weaker tree, not able to be mechanically shaken.

These questions are applicable to an Olive Orchard being planted in South
Australia on 20ha of sand over clay type soils. We get an occasional high
wind. We have planted Barnea, and Piqual olive trees. We are currently
looking at electrical conduit (25mm thick) for staking.
Any thoughts and answers would be very much appreciated.

Regards

Lisa

Please reply to longridge@lm.net.au
</pre>
</td></tr></table>