Restorative Pruning of Old Apple Trees

Instructor: Lowell Rheinheimer

Old apple trees are often severely overgrown and structurally compromised. Light penetration to the interior of the tree is especially important and the natural tendency of apple trees to continually grow up and out seeking light accelerates their decline by shading out and killing interior limbs. Pruning stimulates a rejuvenation process in apple trees and shifts them from over maturity and stagnation to youthful regrowth. Pruning also strengthens trees by reducing the stress of gravity on long limbs. The science of pruning involves creating a scaffold limb system. The art of pruning consists of finding the balance point of removal. The practice of pruning requires the knowledge of how much room to leave between different sized limbs. Basic "rules" like taking out limbs that grow down or back toward the center, and other guidelines will be explored during this class. This class will consist of a demonstration of pruning one or more trees. Participants will have an opportunity to practice pruning under the guidance of the instructor.

Date: 5/7/2017
Registration Deadline: 5/1/2017
Time: 9am - 4:30pm
Class Fee: $75
Location: TBD

Course details and location directions will be emailed to you 1 week before the course. Please provide accurate contact information to ensure that you receive these details.