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Summer Fruit Tree Pruning
Description
Summer pruning – is that a thing? You may be surprised to learn that pruning in summer may be the best time of year to prune your fruit tree and can also save you time. After harvest is the best time to prune stone fruit (cherries, plums) in our climate, and pruning into September also offers real advantages when pruning apples and pears.
In this workshop, we’ll discuss tips and techniques that will help you keep your fruit trees healthy and happy throughout the year. Understanding how your fruit trees respond to pruning after harvest as compared to winter or dormant pruning will relieve the pressure you may feel to prune when the weather is cold and damp.
This class will cover:
- The pros and cons of pruning in summer or after harvest compared to other seasons
- Controlling water sprouts
- How espalier-trained trees or trees you want to keep under 6 feet tall benefit from summer pruning
- Identifying common fruit tree pest issues in the Pacific Northwest
- No-chemical strategies for maintaining healthy fruit trees
This in-person class will include a conversational lecture, hands-on practice in the garden, and time for questions and answers with the instructor. It is appropriate for both beginning and intermediate gardeners. A detailed outline with recommended resources will also be provided.
*This class has been rescheduled from its original date of September 9th to September 23rd.
