Fruit Tree Education

Fall Fruit Tree Pruning Classes

Offered November 5th and 12th
Join us at Mississippi Market, 1500 West 7th St Saint Paul from 10 am to 3 pm on November 5th for a fruit tree pruning class. Advance registration is required through http://s.coop/3ebj or by contacting Fruits of the City via email (fruits@mnproject.org) or phone (651-789-3321). The cost for members/owners of participating food coops is $28. Non-members $30.

at Bachman’s, 6010 Lyndale Ave S Minneapolis from 10 am to 3 pm on November 12th Tree owners are strongly encouraged to register in advance through http://goo.gl/fxqu7 or by contacting Fruits of the City via email (fruits@mnproject.org) or phone (651-789-3321). The cost for this class is $30.

Each class will consist of two sessions: a classroom lecture from 10-12pm on the latest theory and practical applications for pruning and training, and an outdoor demonstration and practice session from 1-3pm at a nearby location. This includes a one hour lunch break. You are welcome to bring a bag lunch, eat at the restaurant on site, or other nearby destinations.

Specific topics to be addressed include fruit production and tree longevity optimization, maintenance minimization, ease of harvest, and pesticide applications. During the outdoor session, students will work on trees directly using hand pruners, handsaws, pole saws, loppers, and spreaders.

Both classes will be taught by Jeffrey Johnson, a University of Minnesota horticulturalist with 30 years of experience.

Instructor Bio:
Jeffrey L. Johnson is a Landscape Gardener with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, University of Minnesota. He is a woody plants specialist maintaining the trees and shrubs collections throughout the public cultivated areas in the Arboretum's 1125 acres.

Jeffrey has been a professional horticulturist for 30 years. At the Arboretum he has managed the HRC's orchards, Landscape Plants Breeding Program nurseries, recruited and retained a substantial volunteer corps, taught adult education classes, given tours and cultivated donors.

Past participants learned…

“That 95% of bugs are beneficial – we’re not at war with bugs.”
“The differences between seed-grown & grafted trees, hardy and good varieties, planting instruction.”
“Insect and blight control, pruning, selection of hardy varieties for planting.”