CANCELLED – Mature Tree Pruning and Orchard Management – Glasgow

This workshop will give you the skills and knowledge to tackle older fruit trees that might have gone a bit wild, judging what cuts to make where and make a plan for how to care for your orchard over the next few years.

Book your tickets here.

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FRIDAY 27th March – 10am – 4pm

The workshop will cover how to winter prune mature fruit trees and will cover restorative pruning techniques including replacement and renewal pruning. After lunch we will spend a bit of time developing a management plan for future years so that the trees get the best care they need – which will be transferrable to your orchard.

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YOUR TRAINERS:

The workshop will be led by our London-based orchard expert Lewis McNeill. Lewis has been teaching practical orchard skills and theory for a decade at orchards all across the UK. Lewis is a favourite here in Glasgow, and he has been coming up annually in March for the last four years. Lewis brings a real insight into the biology behind the practice, so that as you learn just not what to do but why, and how the tree will react to the treatment that you give it.

Fergus has been working on community orchards for the last 7 years, working alongside Scotland’s foremost orchard experts as well as attending regular orchard practitioner training events across the UK.

Under their supervision and guidance you’ll quickly learn to assess the trees and make cuts.

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THE VENUE

The Rose Garden Orchard is nature-led and partially wild, with mown paths through fruit trees and hedgerow-like fruit bushes. It holds a vast collection of apple tree varieties, damsons and edible berries, all chosen for the West Coast of Scotland..

Since planting in 2004 the orchard has become a thriving habitat for song birds, migrating birds, bats, bees and other beneficial insects. A rich biodiversity has been established over the 16 years, in a place that was once just cut grass. This buzzing ecological activity has created a much enjoyed sanctuary of nature with free fruit for anyone to pick and take home throughout the year.

Supported by the local community and Glasgow City Council the orchard is looked after by volunteers. The orchard group also does many educational activities and participates regularly in local fairs with jam sales, apple pressing and nature trails. They pay special attention to encouraging local schools to get involved with an ‘adopt-a tree’ scheme and harvesting events.

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Hot drinks, refreshments and lunch will be provided.

This pay-as-you-feel workshop is provided to our network of orchard leaders across Greater Glasgow and the general public. Please be generous as this continues our work of planting and restoring community orchards across the UK.

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Please wear appropriate clothing as we’ll still make progress in light rain/drizzle and/or cold.

All tools and instruction will be provided although feel free to bring a favourite pair of sharp secateurs.

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How to get there

Getting to the orchard is fairly straightforward. It is 10 min walk from Bridge Street Subway station, or you can get a train to Glasgow Central Station and it is 15min walk.

Please arrive 9.45 for 10 start.

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This event is funded by the MacRobert Trust