Whole Orchard Recycling Overview

At the end of an orchard’s productive life, almond growers must decide what to do with their older trees before either replanting immediately or waiting a year. Whole-orchard recycling (WOR) is the on-site grinding or chipping of whole trees during orchard removal, and incorporation of the ground or chipped biomass into the topsoil prior to replanting. This innovative practice provides direct benefits to the soil and to future yields.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand what Whole-orchard recycling (WOR) is
• Understand how woody biomass is incorporated into the ground, or chipped biomass into the topsoil prior to replanting
• Understand how this practice provides direct benefits to the soil and to future yields