3,699. Other Labors During Shemittah

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 1:4

Pursuant to the previous halacha, if someone digs or plows in order to improve the land, or if he removes stones, fertilizes or performs any other type of agricultural work, or if he extends a branch, grafts, plants or performs similar agricultural labor with trees, he receives stripes for acting rebelliously.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 1:5

During shemittah, we don’t even plant trees that don’t bear fruit. One may not cut an unusual outcropping from a tree, remove dry leaves and branches, sprinkle dust on the top of a tree or smoke a tree to kills the worms that may infest it. Similarly, one may not apply a foul-smelling liquid to plants to keep the birds from eating them while they’re tender. One may not put oil on unripe fruit or pierce them. One may not tie up or trim plants, nor make a support for a tree or perform any other labor that one performs for trees. One who does so during shemittah receives stripes for acting rebelliously.