Mature trees treatment, preservation and management

Our new nursery-propagation intern, Bella, began her internship earlier this month (May 2025). Here she writes about her impressions of a visit and study day at Mikveh Israel, the first agricultural school in Israel.

"I had the privilege of visiting Mikveh Israel in Holon for a fascinating tour focused on the preservation and management of mature trees.  Mikveh Israel was the first agricultural school in Israel, established in 1870. Its mission was to train young Jewish pioneers to become independent farmers and to build agricultural settlements across the country.

We began the day with a lecture by Yair Goldberg, a tree-care expert.  He spoke about the importance of preserving old trees, sharing insights into the evolving practices of tree orthopaedics and tree management techniques that support their longevity.

After the lecture, we toured their botanical garden, where we observed real-life examples of support structures and treatments applied to trees over the years.

This palm is supported by a metal pole and cable — a method that was common ten years ago, but today is seen as too invasive.

During the tour, we explored the history of tree acclimatization—the process of adapting trees from foreign climates to local conditions—a practice that first began there. We learned about early successes and failures, as well as the ongoing challenges the garden faces.

Though these trees are “mature” by local standards, trees can live for thousands of years—so in global terms, they’re still relatively young. But for our region, they are rare and invaluable living witnesses to the land’s transformation.

We encountered trees that had been on the verge of collapse and were treated with rigid support systems—ropes, metal poles, even concrete—methods which, in hindsight, sometimes restricted or harmed the tree rather than helping it thrive.

One striking example was a majestic oak with a wide trunk and heavily branched canopy. Years ago, it developed internal rot, which was treated by filling the cavity with concrete—a common practice at the time. But today, we understand that such rot can become a habitat for organisms and is not always a threat to the tree. Modern approaches aim to preserve the tree’s natural role in the ecosystem, not just its form.

Palm Boulevard in front of the original 1870 Mikveh Israel building

We ended the tour at the original main entrance of the school, marked by the iconic Palm Boulevard, planted in 1921.  The entrance was designed in a French garden style, symmetrical and elegant, with demonstration gardens on both sides of the path—once used by students to showcase what they had learned.

Today, massive Banyan trees (Ficus benghalensis) stand there proudly.  We sat in their shade, listening to the historical stories of the school’s founding. One of the most impressive things about these trees is their natural self-support system—they drop aerial roots from their branches, which, once they touch the ground, become trunks themselves.

Banyan trees and their aerial root systems

Truly a living ecosystem and they can become the heart of a community.

Let’s give them the care they deserve.

Choose one tree in your neighbourhood—notice it, appreciate it, maybe even give it some special treatment.

Sometimes, making a difference starts with just one tree. 

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