Bring fruit tree pruning technique into the 21st century: Align client, fruiting, and tree growth/habit goals with current ANSI pruning standards and modern understandings of pruning, tree biology, and biomechanics. Your grandfather’s 1950 approach to pruning (henceforth known as the umbrella crewcut) is boring to perform, exacerbates arborists’ tendonitis and is antithetical to our training as certified arborists. We can do better.
Topics will include:
* Edible fruiting genera found in the PNW;
* Current ANSI pruning standards and modern tree biomechanics;
* Discussing goals – the clients’, the trees’, the desirability of fruit production, site specifics;
* Creating pruning prescriptions specifically for fruit trees of all ages, sizes, and genera;
* Doing the work – practice using 10 year-old trees at the municipal orchard.
