Learn the principles of pruning orchard trees to promote healthy productive growth. Monday 3rd March 1.00-4.00pm. Cost: 45 euros per person

We will start with a little botany so that you develop an understanding of how different types of pruning will affect the growth and habit of the tree, flower and fruit bud production and plant health. These principles will be focussed on pruning top fruits (apples, pears etc) but can be applied to a wide range of woody plants.

We will then go out and put this knowledge into practice by doing some practical pruning on our heritage apple tree collection. We will also look at renovating neglected and overgrown trees, and how to bring back to health a tree that has been pruned incorrectly in the past. If time allows we will also look at pruning espalier and cordon trained fruit trees.