Israeli Development Could Help Orchards Adapt to Climate Change, Boost Fruit Yields
An Israeli agricultural breakthrough uses cypress tree shade to increase fruit tree cold accumulation by 24%, boosting yields and quality.
Jerusalem, 24 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An innovative Israeli agricultural development may help orchard growers cope with the effects of climate change, addressing crop damage caused by warm winters lacking sufficient cold spells.
The discovery began when Itay Bamberger, a deciduous orchard instructor at the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s Training and Vocational Service, noticed during a field tour that deciduous fruit trees growing in the shade of cypress trees “woke up” earlier after winter, developed richer foliage, and produced higher yields than other trees in the same plot.
The observation led to collaboration with Dr. Michal Ackerman-Lebert of the North-Migal Regional Office and large-scale applied research. Experiments conducted across approximately 30 plots nationwide showed an average 24% increase in cold spell accumulation and an 82% increase in yield, along with improved fruit quality, earlier ripening, and more uniform tree awakening.