Boston Flora

Tag: Grape and Small Fruit Specialist

  • Saturday, April 7, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Pruning for Fruit Production: Pome and Stone Fruit Trees

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden demonstration/workshop on Saturday, April 7 from 10 – 3 will focus on the specifics of pruning stone and pome fruit trees and some small fruits, including cane fruits and ribes. Unlike for ornamental woody plants, pruning for fruit is a special science that is designed to maximize fruit production. Learn the principles of pruning for shape, size, and, most importantly, fruit production. Watch a structural pruning demonstration on newly planted fruit trees. Semi-dwarf orchard trees, including mature and newly planted trees, will be available for pruning.

    Steve McKay is the former Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He owns Micosta, a fruit nursery located in Hudson, NY, and specializes in traditional and unusual fruit tree and small fruits. $45 for BBG members, $55 for nonmembers. Participants should dress warmly and bring pruners and work gloves; dress for the weather. Register at https://berkshirebotanical.secure.force.com/events/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a2m1Y0000033aC2QAI

  • Saturday, February 5, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Rejuvenating an Old Apple Tree

    Think about that old, huge antique apple in the yard, or the group of five fruit trees that you enthusiastically purchased seven years ago and planted, but never pruned. This course at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge on Saturday, February 5 from 10 – 12, will provide information on how to correctively prune and maintain these trees for the coming years. Scientific, aesthetic, and practical reasons used in decision making will be discussed. Consider how to evaluate the tree and learn how, when, why and the cost associated with the rejuvenation process. This program is a lecture format designed to inform homeowners and arborists about the specific techniques associated with rejuvenation. Assess when to hire a professional.

    Steve McKay is the Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He has a B.S. in entomology from U.C. Davis and a M.S. in pomology. $22 BBG members, $27 nonmembers. To register, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.