Pruning fruit trees 2014, anyone interested in having a go?

[agg221]

Following on from the interest last year:

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/general-chat/52999-having-go-pruning-fruit-trees-anyone-interested.html

 

I thought I'd put this up again for 2014.

 

Pruning fruit trees seems to be an area which for some people is a bit of an experience gap, and it gets regarded as a black art. I've looked after Mum's smallholding orchard in North Kent (near Dartford) since about 1988. The trees are now mostly about 95yrs old so well over commercial age and the aim is to keep them alive, healthy and stable, with a reasonable crop for use rather than sale. There's a mixture of vigorous and semi-dwarf, with a few young trees planted over the past 20yrs. The trees are much more the kind of size and form you would find in a back garden than a modern orchard.

 

I'll be going down there in February, either Saturday 14th or 21st, to do the pruning (apples and pears). If anyone is interested in coming along and having a go then they're welcome. I'm aware this could look a bit like 'come and do some free work for me' but that isn't why I'm offering it (I'll be doing it anyway) but it's an opportunity to see the difference between pruning forms and how they can be developed over time, and whatever else anyone is interested in (so long as it's within my knowledge). It would be very much my personal view and I don't have any formal training or claim to be an expert but hopefully anyone interested would go away knowing more than they did when the came

 

Alec

[felixthelogchopper]

Following on from the interest last year:

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/general-chat/52999-having-go-pruning-fruit-trees-anyone-interested.html

 

I thought I'd put this up again for 2014.

 

Pruning fruit trees seems to be an area which for some people is a bit of an experience gap, and it gets regarded as a black art. I've looked after Mum's smallholding orchard in North Kent (near Dartford) since about 1988. The trees are now mostly about 95yrs old so well over commercial age and the aim is to keep them alive, healthy and stable, with a reasonable crop for use rather than sale. There's a mixture of vigorous and semi-dwarf, with a few young trees planted over the past 20yrs. The trees are much more the kind of size and form you would find in a back garden than a modern orchard.

 

I'll be going down there in February, either Saturday 14th or 21st, to do the pruning (apples and pears). If anyone is interested in coming along and having a go then they're welcome. I'm aware this could look a bit like 'come and do some free work for me' but that isn't why I'm offering it (I'll be doing it anyway) but it's an opportunity to see the difference between pruning forms and how they can be developed over time, and whatever else anyone is interested in (so long as it's within my knowledge). It would be very much my personal view and I don't have any formal training or claim to be an expert but hopefully anyone interested would go away knowing more than they did when the came

 

Alec

 

I suspect those dates are Fridays, Alec. I think my other half's Dad would be interested, as would I.

[Logrod]

I'd be interested in seeing someone else's approach and learning more but you're a little far away. Any chance of a few before and after photos and some explanation of why you've done what?

[carpenter1]

I would be interested, but a shame its in kent,

Any one else doing some thing like this in the West Country?

 

I got a 4 year old orchard of 40 trees, so would like to learn more and see how others do things

[agg221]

I suspect those dates are Fridays, Alec. I think my other half's Dad would be interested, as would I.

 

They are indeed Fridays - I mean Saturday 15th and 22nd and you would be most welcome.

 

Alec

[felixthelogchopper]

They are indeed Fridays - I mean Saturday 15th and 22nd and you would be most welcome.

 

Alec

 

I will have a word with Lisa's Dad and see which suits him. Hopefully the 15th as I have something on in the evening on the 22nd. Thanks for the offer.

[burrell_]

Might be able to come on 22nd if u want a bit of input mate

[John in Scotland]

I have fond memories of pruning a pear orchard in kent 20 years ago...enjoy. too far for me.

[Gus McWilliam]

Id love to come but I have 3 months of fruit pruning ahead :-p

[agg221]

Now looking like being Saturday the 15th (although I might go back down on the 22nd to blitz the last of it).

 

Alec