“Remove excess water, shake branches gently in orchards”: Horticulture Director snow advisory to farmers

Srinagar: In wake of heavy snowfall in Kashmir, Director Horticulture Kashmir Aijaz Ahmed Bhat on Monday issued an audio message for orchardists and asked them “to remove excess water from their orchards and shake off snow from the tree branches gently.”

In an audio message advisory addressed to the orchardists, Mr Bhat said, “Clear water channels and drains to ensure complete drainage from the orchards. Shake trees gently to remove snow immediately from their branches and crotches. Shake newly planted trees to prevent damage to new roots as they take a couple of years to anchor firmly in the soil. If the fruit trees tilt, reduce the canopy load by pruning, and provide proper support. If the trees get partially uprooted, slowly pull back the trees to the original position after heavy pruning and provide proper support staking to the main trunk,” he said.

If roots become exposed, naked, immediately cover the roots with soil to avoid further damage, he has advised in the audio message.