Creating Mini Swales on Land Already Planted With Trees?

Hi,
I've got an 1800 sqm piece of land that is laid out on 3 main levels/terraces, and there are already several fruit trees planted on all the 3 of these levels. I'm on Crete which is a hot-dry Mediterranean climate, so very into the idea of creating more passive rainwater harvesting for some of these existing trees. Would it still be possible at this point to create mini swales, either for individual trees or for groups if they happened to be on the same contour lines? How would I go about it, just dig out a trench on the uphill side of the tree and then mound up the soil around the tree?

Hi Dareios, Are the trees planted on the terraces or on the slopes in between them or both?

I wouldn’t pile the soil around the trees… I have heard a saying in regards to tree planting: “plant too high, never die, plant too low, will not grow” or something to that effect. Of course you can plant too high, and it depends on the species (currants, willows and elderberries should do excellently buried deeply!)

Another common occurrence in these mountains is to see yellow birch growing so that the roots form themselves into “legs”—the stump or log they germinated upon, rotted away.

Have you ever seen the mounds and depressions formed when a tree is blown over? Between the trees you could dig out something similar. I think this is part of why old forests are so rich and lively. Their water soaking effects are unfortunately rarely mentioned, but they are the original, natural swales.

I believe fish eye swales are what they’re called when humans make them?

https://www.theconcordinsider.com/2010/09/28/exploring-the-forest-landscape-pillows-and-cradles/

HI Nancy, they are planted on the terraces. The terraces are very wide.

Nancy Reading wrote:Hi Dareios, Are the trees planted on the terraces or on the slopes in between them or both?

I have the opposite sort of problem (....a bit too much rainfall) so can only guess at what may be best for you. Obviously you don't want to disturb the roots of the trees when you're digging, so I would suggest any ditches or berms be outside the canopy of the mature tree. Maybe sort of boomerang swales on the downhill side would work well? Mulch and companion planting to create support guilds are worth a thought too.

Nancy Reading wrote:I have the opposite sort of problem (....a bit too much rainfall) so can only guess at what may be best for you. Obviously you don't want to disturb the roots of the trees when you're digging, so I would suggest any ditches or berms be outside the canopy of the mature tree. Maybe sort of boomerang swales on the downhill side would work well? Mulch and companion planting to create support guilds are worth a thought too.

Which reminds me…

Lines or different shapes of rocks, mulch, logs, sticks, etc. arranged to slow water can be beneficial as well, without digging.