Pruning Deciduous Fruit Trees

When growing a fruit tree, most gardeners spend more time pruning and training their trees than any other single activity. It's no wonder that most "pomology" texts devote 15-25% of their content to these considerable underpinnings.

On the other hand, most home gardening fruit tree books are lacking in both depth and detail when it comes to the topics of pruning and training. Although studies have shown that trees in the landscape have a calming effect on people, the average backyard grower may feel anxious, overwhelmed, confused, and even defeated by the seemingly daunting task of pruning.

Fear not!

This workshop, led by Alan Chadwick Garden manager Orin Martin and former CASFS apprentice Ryan Silsbee, will enable you to select, plant, grow and manage healthy, productive deciduous fruit trees organically.

Students will leave with confidence about the basic concepts of fruit tree care as well as the do's and don'ts of pruning; large and small, young and old.

You will have an opportunity to see a live winter pruning demonstration focused on pome fruits (apples and pears) and stone fruits (prunes, plum, pluots, apricots and apriums, peaches and nectarines).

Orin will explain "how to" using a methodical walk through of how to prune and shape trees as well as the "whys" with a little of the science thrown in.

Each student will go home with a series of informative handouts and Orin's new book, Fruit Trees for Every Garden, will be available for sale.