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<pre>A friend and I have started rejuvenating an old grove of Picholine trees in
the Carneros region of Napa County, California with the intention of
producing oil. These trees are about 80 years old, and have not been tended
for at least forty years. Currently they do not have any viable olives, only
a small amount of small aborted fruit.

We've begun by pruning to 3-4 outside branches at about 3 meters, opening up
the middle of the trees. Historically, the Carneros region gets about 20
inches, (500 mm) of rain, mostly in the winter months. The trees are not
irrigated and it would be difficult to do so.

To date, we have not done a soil or leaf mineral analysis.

We'd appreciate any advise (besides having our heads examined) for optimizing
production.

Thanks,

Alan Friedman
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<pre>Just cleaning up an old tree does wonders. There are many concealed buds
that have not had the inclination to do anything, so pruning prods them
along. Remember olives form on one year old wood so a crop will arrive
in the second season after the cleanup. Watch out for any fast growing
water shoots particular if they grow up through the centre. The
established root sytem will fire everything up very quickly. Regarding
nutrition, additions may not be necessary, but if you want to be
scientific have a leaf analyis done otherwise add some blood and bone or
NPK a few good handfuls per tree. Autumn is a good time, but make sure
that you water the NPK in.

Hope this helps

Stan Kailis
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