I had an unusual start in life. When the sky got like this at this time of year (and even darker at solstice), I was out pruning fruit trees, like this apple […]
The Best Hours of the Year
Pan Becomes the Green Man
In early June, I showed you a picture of Pan, as he has showed up in the North Okanagan. There are other images. Here’s the link. Well, look at him now! Now […]
Every Nectarine is Chosen by Hand and Eye
Every single one. Note the pruning cuts to separate the fruits from sharp angles, where they will be trapped and rot, and the edges of the twigs tipped to help the tree […]
Water Sprouts
Beurre D’Anjou Pear Tree in Healing Mode In pre-scientific knowledge, these vertical shoots, the result of aggressive and wrong-headed pruning, are known as “water sprouts”. The old knowledge says it well. The […]
Walking in the Snow
When the fog and the frost roll in and the snow crunches underfoot and the air nips at the fingers and the toes freeze in the boots, it’s time to go pruning […]
The Art of Tree Pruning
Art is usually discussed in terms of galleries and stages and mp3 files and writing. Yesterday I talked about pruning trees as art. Just click here, if you missed it. I’ll expand on […]
Why Apples Don’t Taste Like They Should
Many reasons. Nitrogen gas storage, dwarf rootstock related sap restrictions, sugary varieties with all their flavour in essences that evaporate within two weeks, water system delivered petroleum-based fertilizers, excess size, continually re-created […]
Porcupine My Brother!
Here’s an example of porcupine cherry tree pruning: Porcupine Art on Grassland Choke Cherry Instead of brush strokes, thinks tooth strokes. Think: playing a cello with your teeth. And no strings. And […]
