Propagation and Pruning

Today we picked the last medlars from a tree in Katoomba's fabulous Blue Mountains Organic Community Gardens. During a wander around the fruit and nut trees we imagine future orchard scenes as we continue to develop this lovely space. Taking full advantage of these bright winter days and our community minded orchards, the fruit and nut tree network is delighted to present two winter workshops for fruit and nut enthusiasts in the coming weeks. First up, on Sunday May 27th, a propagation session in a wonderful Mt Tomah orchard (we are now taking names for a reserve list if you would like to come email Kat), and pruning on Sunday June 24th, a little closer to home for many of us, in North Katoomba. Bookings are essential and places filling up fast: contact Clare Power if you'd like to come.

The pruning workshop will be covering the how when and whys of pruning fruit trees, as well as practical demonstration and hands on opportunities to have a go at various pruning techniques.

Practical demonstration to include:

• Tool preparation and safety
• Preparing the ground around the tree
• Crown lifting
• Pruning to shape----removing deadwood , watershoots , weak branches.
• Creating the vase shape or keeping the central leader.
• Crown reduction.
•  Identifying common pests , diseases and deficiencies of fruit and nut trees.

2 examples of pruning that we will demonstrate:

•  individual trees
•  the apple arbor (close planted)

And a chance to discuss bigger issues:

• New approaches to growing fruit and nuts in the Blue Mountains
• Avoiding monocultures in orchard design
• Multipurpose design ie food production , wind and fire breaks plus artistic and creative aspects esp. in relation to hedges and arbors.
• Purpose of pruning and when to do it.

Entry by donation.