Palermo Area: Soft Pruning and Gradual Reform to Restore Traditional Olive Groves

In the Grisì area, in the province of Palermo, olive growing represents a strong element of local identity, closely linked to cultivars such as Nocellara del Belìce, Biancolilla, Cerasuola, and Giarraffa, as well as to a landscape heritage of significant value. However, many traditional groves show structural limitations: excessively tall trunks, accumulation of woody mass, production shifted toward the outer canopy, and cycles of severe topping every two or three years that generate recurring imbalances.

The intervention proposed by Agronomist Vito Vitelli is based on a clear technical principle: interrupting the cycle of excessive wood growth, drastic cutting, and renewed vigor through soft and progressive pruning. Rather than traumatic interventions followed by long periods of neglect, the approach promotes a gradual recovery process over a period of two to three years.

The first step involves thinning the interior of the canopy, removing excess crown density and introducing stubs of 20 to 25 centimeters on the dorsal branches. From these renewal points, moderate shoots will develop, helping to progressively rebuild a more internal productive zone. The objective is to create a light cone with a radius of approximately 100 to 120 centimeters. Increased light penetration enhances photosynthesis efficiency, reduces stagnant humidity, and mitigates phytosanitary risks.

Video

On the outer portion, canopy reshaping is applied to define a cylindrical profile. Branches that exceed the optimal volume are redirected inward, limiting peripheral expansion and the formation of unproductive wood. This restores balance between the operational center, composed of roots and trunk, and the productive periphery.

Not all trees can be restored solely through soft interventions. In a portion of the farm, it may be necessary to plan a more radical reform pruning, cutting the trunk at 110 to 130 centimeters and completely rebuilding the structure using the Zaragoza method. This is not applied across the entire surface, but rather implemented through a multi year plan defined in collaboration with the grower.

Video

The benefits are tangible: greater light penetration to the ground, improved drying of the grass cover, increased operational efficiency, and a reduction in pruning days. Above all, vegetative and productive balance is restored, avoiding the removal of large volumes of wood while enhancing branches with fruit bearing potential.

This approach does not aim to replace Italian cultivars with standardized models. Instead, it seeks to modernize the management of traditional olive groves while preserving territorial identity and oil quality. Structure, light management, and operational simplification become key drivers in ensuring consistent productivity and long term economic sustainability.

Official Editorial Note:
Original content by Agronomist Vito Vitelli, developed and optimized with the support of artificial intelligence tools for educational, informational, and technical dissemination purposes.

Educational activities carried out in collaboration with: