If you happen to be walking around ECHO, you might see some strange white stumps in our fruit tree arboretum. Don't be alarmed! The trees have undergone some dramatic 'pruning' in an effort to make the trees more productive i.e. PRODUCE MORE LYCHEES!

We are trying a 

Tree Rejuvenation

pruning technique which begins with 'hat-racking' or 'stumping' the trees.  

We will follow up with more frequent pruning to create a globe shaped canopy that is low to the ground allowing us to harvest the fruit more easily.

We painted the trunks to prevent them from over-heating and blistering or cracking.  The remaining limbs are called 'nurse limbs' which help (possibly) to reduce shock to the tree's root system from such severe pruning. In true ECHO fashion, the four largest trees were each given a different amount of 'nurse limbs' as an ongoing experiment.

This technique is used to bring overgrown orchards of fruit trees back into good production.  Usually the trees are restored to production in 2 years time. And don't worry, we are only doing this to some of our trees, especially those that are very large.

So, celebrate with us! Two years to more lychees!