Fruit tree care workshops

Learn valuable skills while you help save the Hilton-Winn Farm fruit trees

The heirloom orchards at the Hilton-Winn Farm will continue to be the focus of attention this year. The apple, peach, plum, and pear trees are in need of a lot of TLC. Under the leadership of our orchard manager, master arborist Tchukki Andersen, we will be experimenting with companion plantings, compost tea and other natural types of fertilizers, and mulch, mulch, and more mulch to nurture the trees to better health.

To support the work in the orchard, Tchukki will be offering classes and workshops throughout the year to the YEC students and adults in the community. There are no pre-requisites to taking any of the tree classes offered at the YEC…..just a willingness to listen, learn and laugh. This is a great opportunity to help the farm while you learn some very handy orchard tree management skills.

Workshop: Peach Tree Pruning for Peaches, Please! (adults) — Saturday, March 16, 2013 10am  (2 hours)

“Peaches, please!” is the cry given by every backyard orchardist who has a great fruit tree but get few or no fruit regularly from year to year. Our first class offered to the community will be the how’s and why’s of pruning backyard fruit trees (peaches), and a couple of heritage apple trees, in order to grow some fruit. Warning: patience is required when working with fruit trees.

Bring your hand pruners and loppers for a short tool preparation session before we begin.
Call to register now for this classes – limited to 15 adults

Workshop: Spreading Fertilizer Rumors (adults) — Saturday, April 13 10am (2 hours)

The discussion during this class will be on the benefits of fertilizing fruit trees. OK, “ensuing chores to reap the benefits” is closer to what we will actually do. Different types of fertilizers and tree nutrition will be talked about then we get right into the hands-on part of shoveling, carrying, and spreading the different applications.

Register early for this class. Bring functional work gloves, not the stylish up-to-your-elbow evening gloves.

Workshop: Planting Trees for You and Me (children and adults) — Saturday, April 28 10am (2 hours)

April is Earth Month With a Focus on Trees (according to Tchukki). It’s time to replace the trees in the orchard that just won’t make it. Learn proper planting procedures, and how less-is-more when it comes to tree planting depth. Nothing worse than a small tree dying because it was buried, not planted (big difference).

Bring your shovels, gloves and bionic strength to dig through solid granite in places

Tchukki Andersen, volunteer orchard manager, is the Staff Arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association – a non-profit professional resource for tree care companies around the world. She is a Board Certified Master Arborist and a Certified Tree Safety Professional, and is so excited to be working with all the trees at the Youth Enrichment Center at the Hilton-Winn Farm.