The USU Extension is getting ready for Spring by hosting a Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop on Mar. 16 in Ferron. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with both Extension Assistant Professors, Rowe Zwahlen and Steve Price to get all the event details.

There is a lot of folks that think pruning is a difficult task but once you get some good instruction its easy to do.  “I think the really hard thing is it’s hard to teach in a book. It’s a three-dimensional structure so 2D diagrams are pretty hard to learn from. It’s not hard but it’s nice to see it in person once before you maybe go ahead and work on your own trees,” said Zwahlen. Officials will instruct participants on the fundamentals of pruning and provide a hands-on demonstration.

Pruning can be very overwhelming if you don’t understand the basics especially when it comes to your fruit trees. “The worse thing you can do is not get your pruning done especially in those first few years when you’re planting new trees. That’s really your time to develop the architecture and the structure of the tree, so you can manage the fruit wood versus the structural wood of that tree,” explained Price. Pruning encourages good growth patterns which will improve good fruit quality.

All of the pruning equipment will be provided but then participants are welcomed to bring their own equipment if they would like. Gloves are recommended. Individuals interested in attending the Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop are required to register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/ The workshop will take place in Ferron and the location will be on Private Property so the address will be shared once you’ve completed the registration form and paid the $5.00 participation fee.

If you have any questions about the Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop please contact either USU Extension Office in Carbon County at (435) 636-3233 or Emery County at (435)381-2381.