Wooden, steel or fiberglass stakes are essential for the proper growth and formation of intensive and super high density olive orchard.
The most appropriate stake size for intensive olive (Picual, Cornicabra, Hojiblanca…) is 150 cm long. To facilitate the collection with trunk and umbrella vibrators, we must form the cross between 90 and 110cm high.
The diameter of the stakes will depend on the resistance of the terrain and the wind that can be done in the area.
The most common in intensive olive grove is to put stakes 4 cm in diameter, the olive trees end up getting big and the stakes need to support a lot of weight. In clay and windy terrain it is essential to use quality stakes, although under more favorable conditions, you can buy stakes for olive trees of smaller diameter.
In the case of super high density olive grove , the collection is done with harvesters, so it is sought to increase hedge height For this reason, 200cm stakes are usually used. Regarding the diameter, olive plants reach a smaller size, so with 3cm it is usually enough.
Materials of olive tree stakes
stakes can be used for olive trees of different materials. Wooden stakes, hollow iron pipes, coated corrugated steel rods, fiberglass stakes…
The important thing is that the material has sufficient strength and durability to support and guide the olive seedlings during their growth phase, until the trunk hardens and can support the weight of the glass itself.
Synthetic fiber stakes
Probably Synthetic olive stakes are the most commonly used in newly planted olive groves. Although they may not be able to improve the firmness and resistance of the wooden stakes, their competitive price and the professional aspect that they give to the plantations is generalizing their use. In addition, the round and smooth profile, reduces friction wounds with the olive tree.
On the other hand, the synthetic fiber tutors are firmer and thanks to their durability (up to 60 years ) can be reused without problems.
Wooden guardians
The most common wood olive stakes are those manufactured in treated pine, acacia and bamboo. You can also find wooden stakes of chestnut, of greater duration and price.
It is important that the wood used for stakes has been treated, so we will be sure that it will last during the years of olive tree formation.
Bamboo cane
Bamboo stakes, are widely used in nurseries of olive trees to straighten the seedlings. Its resistance and durability is usually insufficient to maintain the weight of the olive tree during all its formative years.
Its main advantage is its economic price, although commercial diameters of up to 28/30 mm remain somewhat small for the intensive olive tree.
In super high density plantations (Arbequina, Arbosana, Arróniz, Koroneiki, Sikitita…) due to the smaller size of the olive trees, it can be used In order to save costs.
On the other hand, the wood is not treated, so we can have durability problems. The wholesale price of the 150cm and 28mm stakes is around the € 0.50 / u. They are cheap wooden stakes, but it is better to use other stakes to form olive seedlings.
Stakes of treated pine
With good strength and durability features, it has a price capable of competing with fiberglass stakes.
For a diameter of 4×4 cm and length of 150 cm the price is approximately € 1.20 / u.
Acacia wood stakes
Olive stakes made of acacia wood have great durability and mechanical resistance, being very suitable for intensive plantations. The acacia wood is very hard, dense, elastic and resistant. However, its price is higher than that of pine wood, around € 2 / u.
Corrugated steel stakes
Although they allow to keep the olive tree straight, the roughness can cause injuries when the olive tree moves with the air.
Those who use them recommend coating them with plastic material, such as a rubber for drippers.
As an advantage, they have great firmness and durability, can be reused and maintain much of their value. The main drawback is its higher price and the risk of theft for scrap sales.
We can also use smooth steel rods and galvanized iron pipes.
Prices of olive plant stakes
The prices of olive tree stakes indicated above are approximate and merely for guidance. These prices may vary depending on the seller, size of the stake, amount purchased, price of the wood and the characteristics of the product.
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Warning
We have translated the information on our website from Spanish to English. Note that some words may have seen their meaning altered during their translation.