As soon as we fruit growers are sure the risk of harsh frosts is over and temperatures are above minus five degrees centigrade, tree pruning can begin. On one hectare of land we have rows of trees that are approximately three kilometres long. The total length of all the rows of trees in our orchards is more than 120 kilometres. As an individual orchard grower it’s hard to keep one’s spirits up faced with the task of having to prune so many trees. To facilitate the work and to maintain motivation we use a tractor with a integrated platform. It makes division of labour easy, with up to six workers each able to prune the tree at the correct height without using ladders. A powerful compressor provides sufficient compressed air for power pruners and smaller saws. The tractor is self-driving and advances at a snail’s pace. Depending on the height of the trees, it is possible for workers to prune both the upper and lower levels of two rows of trees at the same time. This way two to three kilometres of trees can be comfortably pruned in one day.
