Runoff collection has been used to plant olive orchards in north-west Syria in areas, which are considered too dry for olives. In one trial, trees were planted 8 m apart, within and between rows. Around individual trees ‘fish-bone’ shaped furrows were dug to harvest runoff water. The furrows were constructed manually with a hoe and reinforced with stones. They divert rainwater runoff to the micro catchments, where it concentrates in basins around the trees. Each tree is served by a catchment area of 60 m2. The furrows are re-made every year.