Bushfires in Orchards: What We’ve Learned and How Growers Can Prepare
Following the severe 2020 bushfires in New South Wales and South Australia, an extensive research effort has shed new light on how different fire types affect apple orchards and what recovery practices give growers the best chance of restoring productivity.
The multi‑season project assessed tree damage, fruit quality, storage performance, and deeper physiological impacts such as non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) reserves. The findings now offer invaluable guidance for growers navigating bushfire recovery and future preparedness.
Key Insights from the Research
Heat Impact Matters
Radiant heat affected trees showed strong resilience, with full recovery achieved by the second growing season.
Smouldering fire affected trees, however, experienced long-term physiological disruption and ultimately failed to recover. This highlights the critical differences between surface heat exposure and deeper, sustained fire damage.
Tree Management After Fire
Cutting trees back to the trunk can be effective but requires patience around four seasons for full canopy regrowth.
Tree poling emerged as the most efficient and practical method to re-establish tree structure and restore yield potential, regardless of fire type.
Understanding Root and Carbohydrate Impacts
Smouldering fires significantly reduce NSC reserves in roots, limiting the tree’s capacity to rebuild canopy and resume normal growth. This reduced energy availability is a major factor in poor post-fire recovery outcomes.
How Bushfires Affect Orchards
Tree Health
Scorching, limb dieback and cambium injury disrupt nutrient transport and can severely hinder a tree’s ability to recover.
Fruit Quality
Heat-exposed fruit may bake or scorch on the tree, reducing market value and storage performance.
Infrastructure Damage
Irrigation systems, netting, and orchard fittings are often destroyed, compounding the workload and costs during recovery.
Root System Stress
Even when roots survive the fire, heat damage can significantly limit regrowth and tree vitality in subsequent seasons.
Recommended Recovery Actions
1. Assess Damage Thoroughly
Inspect cambium moisture and colour to determine tree viability.
Document and evaluate infrastructure losses quickly to prioritise repairs.
2. Adjust Pruning and Management
Tailor pruning intensity to the level of damage observed.
Closely monitor tree health across multiple seasons.
Adjust irrigation according to reduced canopy size and altered tree needs.
3. Use Evidence-Based Techniques
Incorporate tree poling or structured pruning to speed up canopy redevelopment.
Focus on methods that promote early structural recovery and efficient resource allocation.
4. Access Support Services
Government and industry groups provide technical advice and in some cases financial support to aid growers in planning and implementing recovery strategies.
Preparing for Future Bushfires
Reducing risk is key to safeguarding orchard productivity.
Develop and maintain a bushfire preparedness plan.
Undertake fuel load reduction around orchard blocks.
Maintain firebreaks and ensure access points are suitable for emergency vehicles.
Ensure firefighting equipment is well-maintained, accessible, and familiar to all staff.
Draw on growing research and guidelines to strengthen orchard resilience and minimise future losses.
More Information
Manuals for Western Australian pome growers are available from the DPIRD Manjimup office.
To request a copy, contact Susie Murphy White or Jen Riseley.
Additional bushfire management resources are available via the DPIRD NSW – Bushfire in Orchards website.