<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>> Congratulations Mike - this is one of the more intelligent questions
posted to this group.

Thank you David ..... the cheque's in the mail.

> Like you I find irrigation rates depend on what "expert" you talk to and
whatever you do never ask an irrigation supplier!!
> My understanding is like Dan's that the root system area matches the
foliage area shading. On that basis on my 7000 trees and with 500-600mm
rainfall I am going to need to supply 33,000,000l of water per annum.

I have settled on a figure of 20 litres per tree per week for trees of about
1 to 1.5m high through the growth period and probably less in winter. This
should allow for the evapotranspiration of a hot, dry summer without
stressing the tree too badly while still providing enough moisture to
promote growth. I have to keep a watchful eye on the rain, as out soils are
quite prone to waterlogging.

Once the trees start to bear fruit, I will review the watering over summer /
autumn to try to keep up the oil levels and will run some RDI trials to see
how we go, especially with the table fruit.


> Buy shares in the Sydney Water Board fellows.
> Is the figure of 1000mm per tree relevant to olive oil production combined
with RDI???
> Stan Kailis - where are you?
> Regards
> David Wilson (no relation to Mike)

Mike Wilson (no relation, honest)
</pre>
</td></tr></table>

<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>Not sure if others have mentioned but michael Burrs book goes into some detail
on water per tree per season.
Matt
</pre>
</td></tr></table>