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  • From: sinergyinaction@netscape.net
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [permaculture] Fruit trees pand high water table land
  • Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2006 17:54:12 -0400

Hi,
consider having to plant fruit trees in an area with very hot (summer) climate
and mild winters, ie mediterranean climate; with usually dry summers and long dry spells
In normal circumstances, usually the planting distances between trees can be augmented somewhat
in order to take into account for competition for water (and use irrigation).
But what about if you have an aquifer which is quite shallow (may be 1m below the surface)?
If I want to "work with nature", would this situation indicate that, notwindstanding the
long dry spells, the trees can be planted closer to each other? Thus increasing the density of
the plantation?

But then the trees, once mature will probably start to feed heavily on this shallow
water source. Is it possible that they can contribute to increasing the depth of the
acuifer?

(if the aquifer is now deeper) since I will have planted more trees than it would have been advisable in a land
without a shallow aquifer, competition for water could start in a very dry spell
and some of them might not do it.
On the other hand, is it possible that these trees' root systems will adapt to the new
situation of the acuifer and look for water deeper down?

MIght instead be possible that the root system of these trees (or any other tree other than fruit trees by that matter)
remain shallow anyway (even for those trees that usually have a strong pivoting root??)
because they have had lots of water available very close to the surface?
Any reccomendation would be appreciated

By the way, is the use of acacias (like, a. dealbata, a. harpophylla, a. ampliceps, a. aneura
a. saligna, a. karoo) advisable in a soils such as this? Is there a chance that they might not stand
having so much water available, being plants that usually live in more arid situations and dry feet?
Cheers
Antonio
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  • [permaculture] Fruit trees pand high water table land, sinergyinaction, 06/10/2006

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