Author: Rfunke

The moss provides additional protection on the bark, is antiseptic and is an obstacle to parasitic insects.

In the campuses, the olive trees are cut down from the ladder. This enables a safe stand and eliminates the risk of a branch breaking off on which you are standing. But even with this method, safety is the top priority. The ladder is secured and you secure yourself too. If possible, the cuts are made so that you can hold the small chainsaw with both hands and prevent kickbacks from hitting the body. The turning and falling movement of the cut branches must be assessed carefully so that one cannot be hit, as serious accidents have already occurred.

This tree was over 10m high and in this overhanging case was cut down in 3 stages. First I removed the big branches from bottom to top so that big stubs remained on the trunk so that the ladder could later be raised safely. Removed the head of the tree, and finally shortened the trunk in pieces of 20kg to 50kg. If trees are 2-3m too high, remove simply the entire upper crown in one go.

All kinds of lichens like it up there in the trees. You can also see the many tree care cuts on the old branches.

Ivy ripens its fruits in winter and serves as a food source for the starlings and other birds that are now migrating north. These fruits are VERY POISONOUS for humans and pets.

Only on ivy that is more than ten years old do flowers form in autumn, which then ripen into fruits in winter. These leaves have a characteristic shape when the plant has reached its fertile age, without indentations like the young plants.

In the Campo I leave the ivy on the walls for the insects and birds and only cut it back a little in summer.

In the Campo there are not only yellow primroses but also pink primroses, as you can see them in gardens.

Individual ivy leaves are often red in winter. It’s strange because the ivy is evergreen. The red color comes from the anthocyanin, which is a kind of frost protection. The discoloration also depends on the soil and exposure to sunlight. Here above the dry stone wall, the soil is very poor, which favors the discoloration.

But lockdown and the last apple! The shelves of the open display in the right cases because of the Corona epidemic bypass, replenishment war not yet there and the perception does not take place. And when asked when fruit and vegetables will come back, the stone answer was: “I don’t know”! Also don’t hoard toilet paper instead of apples. 😉

When the sun reflects over the lake, the Nonna always called “La Strada del Sole”. Time to go home, the days are exhausting.

The tawny mining is quite common with us on the Campo and is an indicator of a healthy nature.

Only which? this one is about 1.2m high. Some of this extensive genus “Arabis” were previously used as medicinal plants. In Europe there are around 30 species.

Today I wanted to put on the second pair of gloves because the others were still wet. Oh dear, no more thumbs, that probably served as padding in a mouse’s nest.

The spore capsules of the ripe moss hang like bells on their filigree styles. And after the rain the dew glistens like in a magic forest.

All the olive trees on the upper floor are again about 6m high. I am happy that I am making good progress. By the end of the 2020 campaign at the end of March, I should have created over 100 trees if the weather and SARS-CoV-2 allow.

Today the wide shift is impressive again, Monte Tremalzo still in white snow, but crisp and clear. The olive trees stand in the foreground and wait for their hairdresser.

About 40m from the upper south corner of the Campos there is a small ford with a waterfall on the mountain. Most of the time there is no water flowing there, but deep down in the mountain through the karst rock. But when it has rained, especially during the snowmelt like now, the water flows away above ground.

I not only have fun with flowers and plants, but also have to do the necessary work in the campo. This year the second half of the camp comes with the cutting of the trees to about 6m. The tree below had grown to over 10m in height, after the cut above the middle branches it has the traditional height and can be harvested with a 12-15 step ladder.

On Sunday I usually go for a short hike or take my camera around the area.

I go home at around 5 a.m. The bright lush grass under the light-flooded olive trees is delightful in the shadow play of the olives. In the lower part, the trees are still waiting to be cut. But I’m still there for 4 weeks.

It’s just nice to work high in the trees so that there is always good olive oil. Today it was warm and to enjoy the sun in a t-shirt is wonderful! – Well, it’s not always like that at the time of year. And next week rain is announced, then there is a compulsory break if it rains.

Today was a clear, cool day. The view is great up in the olive trees! Far into the mountains of Trento.