The rain did not dampen anyone's enthusiasm!Some BCOG members joined members of New Mills Community Orchard Group when they reviewed their winter pruning on Saturday 20 March with local horticulturalist Alan Ruff. Following a training session the group had done an excellent job of balancing the trees and opening up the centres. Many of the trees were planted in February 2008, but were not pruned last winter following their first season of growth in the orchard. Consequently some of them have grown long willowy branches with most of the leaves and fruit at their tips. Alan explained that this could be remedied quite easily at this early stage, and a strong branch framework could still be formed, but that the group would have to have strong nerves to cut the trees back quite severely! Both they and ourselves are on a steep learning curve, and we value most highly the opportunity to share experiences. Thank you NMCO. See http://www.nmco.org.uk/
Dick with Julian and daughter
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