Roux Pecans set to expand the orchard

As indicated earlier in the blog we are planning on expanding the orchard. The first thing to do is clear the Acacia Mimosa scrub that can be seen in the earlier pictures. (10 June 2007)

George gets busy with the chain saw and is assisted by Gansie .



















The thorns of Acacia Mimosa are long, sharp, dangerous and even spectacular. Sometimes 8cm long!! The pom pom yellow flowers are pretty too. Indicative of the fact that we have had good Festive Season rains.

Roux Pecans orchard slashing

My good friend Eric Starke who is a very big fruit farmer on the Piketberg Mountain had one look at the orchard floor and remarked "This looks like organized chaos."

And it does, until some semblance of design is made by slashing down the rows and leaving the mix of grass and clover to rot and then nourish the coming crop.

Simon is on the new tractor with a wider slasher than the old one. This saves time and diesel. Besides, the tractor if from the new generation of clean burning engines.