Spring Pruning

With the coldest winter temperatures likely behind us, this weekend I decided to prune our apple trees. We have 3 trees that are likely 30 or 40 years old. They are still great producers, but clearly could benefit from some much-needed pruning. But this was a totally new process to me. So, after a few University of Minnesota Extension Service videos, and moral support from my mom and dad who were up for the weekend, I was ready to try. The snow was still two to three feet deep, so I slogged my way through, with all my pruning tools in tow.

For sure, I second-guessed every cut I made, being convinced that instead of helping the trees, I was killing them. But I managed through, especially once I started to thank each pruned branch for its bounty and beauty through the years. That little reciprocal conversation helped immensely, and seemed like the least I could do.

In the end, I’m sure I was more conservative with my pruning, than I needed to be. But for now the task is done, and we’ll wait to see the result next Fall. Hopefully an apple-bumper-crop is in our future!

That is, assuming all the other apple-growing-stars also align!

(Here’s hoping for no June hard-frosts, this year!!)