Boston Flora

Tag: Fedco Trees

  • Tuesday, November 15, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm – Apples of New England

    Please join apple historian and orchardist John Bunker at The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley on Tuesday, November 15 at 1:30 pm for an entertaining history of New England’s iconic fruit. John will take us back 400 years to the first Massachusetts orchards, from the times when everyone made cider to the introduction of widespread grafting, from the era of the small self sufficient farm to the commodity orchards of today. He’ll tell us about the famous Massachusetts varieties, where they originated, how they disappeared and the recent efforts to rescue them.

    John grew up in Concord, Massachusetts and Palo Alto, California. He’s lived in Palermo, Maine for the past 45 years. There he farms and tends orchards with Cammy Watts. He has coordinated nursery sales at Fedco Trees since its beginning in 1984. He is active in the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and directs the Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity. Mass Hort Member Cost: $12 Non Member Cost $20.  Register online at http://www.masshort.org.

  • Saturday, March 9, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Apple Pruning

    A good fruit tree should not make a good shade tree. The primary purpose of pruning is to increase sunlight penetration, remove less productive wood, and shape the crown into an efficient, stable form. A neglected but otherwise healthy tree will usually show a marked improvement in fruit quality as a result of pruning. Join apple expert John Bunker of Fedco Trees in Waterville, Maine, for an apple tree pruning workshop at the Polly Hill Arboretum in Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday, March 9, from 10 – 2. Find out how to give an old tree new life and what kind of yearly pruning maintenance will keep your fruit trees producing year after year. This workshop begins with a talk on fruit tree pruning then heads outside to a near-by orchard for hands-on pruning. Bring your pruners, lopers and/or pruning saw if you have them. Also bring a brown bag lunch.  $55/$45 for PHA members. Register at www.pollyhillarboretum.org.