In this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw speaks with author Susan Poizner about her latest book, Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of Cultivating Healthy Fruit Trees. 

About Susan Poizner

Susan Poizner is an award-winning author, journalist, urban orchardist, and fruit tree care educator based in Toronto, Canada. She trains arborists, master gardeners, and community and home orchardists in fruit tree maintenance through in-person workshops, online courses, and webinars. Her books include Grow Fruit Trees Fast, Growing Urban Orchards, Fruit Tree Grafting for Everyone and Fruit Tree Pruning.

Here are some of the topics discussed in this episode:

Fruit Tree Pruning and Care

• Pruning techniques for both mature and newly planted fruit trees
• How to approach neglected trees
• Susan mentions her previous book on fruit tree grafting and discusses whether homeowners should be encouraged to plant fruit trees, given the maintenance involved.
• Planting a fruit tree is a long-term commitment
• Avoid impulse purchases at garden centres
• Research disease-resistant varieties suitable for your climate and order from specialist fruit tree nurseries
• Start with younger, bare-root trees that can be shaped through pruning rather than older potted trees
• The importance of proper site selection, ensuring full sun and space for root growth
• Susan recommends annual mulching with compost to nourish the tree and advises against planting other plants directly under the tree
• Pruning timing: wait a year for transplanted potted trees, but prune bare-root trees immediately upon planting in spring

Fruit Tree Pruning Basics

• The importance of pruning fruit trees from the day they are planted
• The first three years of formative pruning are crucial for shaping the tree's structure
• Two main tree shapes: central leader (Christmas tree shape) and vase-shaped (goblet)
• Remove healthy branches to improve air circulation, sunlight penetration, and fruit quality
• Thin fruit to ensure better size and flavour
• For mature trees, focus on improving air circulation by removing congested branches, limiting removal to 20-25% of the living canopy per year
• Prune after blossom time to avoid disease spread and encourage the tree to invest energy in fruiting buds rather than new growth
• Fruit tree pruning is a DIY activity that anyone can learn, emphasizing that even arborists often lack specific training in fruit tree care
• Learn proper pruning techniques before hiring professionals
• Use the right tools, such as Japanese handsaws and pole pruners, and maintain them properly
• Conduct a soil test before planting fruit trees and use compost for regular feeding, with occasional foliar sprays like diluted blackstrap molasses to boost tree health
• Susan recommends a dormant spray of lime sulphur and dormant oil in early spring before bud break as a preventative measure against pests and diseases

Fruit Tree Education and Community

• Fruit trees are generous, providing food for generations with a single planting
• Susan shares her experience at community cherry harvesting events
• Pests and critters: With proper planning, there's usually enough fruit for both humans and animals
•  Susan mentions her books on fruit tree care, including titles on pruning, fast-growing techniques, urban orchards, and grafting, which can be found on her website orchardpeople.com or on Amazon.

Find Susan Poizner online at orchardpeople.com and Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of Cultivating Healthy Fruit Trees on Amazon. You can also check out her YouTube channel or listen to the Orchard People podcast.

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Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

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