Orchard People

By Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.comLeisure Hobbies Home & Garden

Orchard People episodes

July 27, 2021 Will Nitrogen Fixing Plants Improve Soil Fertility? with Stefan Sobkowiak
Do nitrogen fixing plants and trees actually improve soil fertility? Will your fruit trees benefit if you plant nitrogen fixing plants in your garden? Susan speaks to permaculture orchardist Stefan Sobkowiak of Miracle Farms in Quebec, Canada to find out!

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.

Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

She is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST
The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.

📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.
🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.
🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Nitrogen-Fixing Trees: Do They Feed Fruit Trees or Waste Space?" and find the video and podcast links there too!

✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:

✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/
🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:
https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/
🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/
🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:
https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/
🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/

These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

1 hr 6 min
June 29, 2021Custom Fruit Tree Spray Recipes with John Kempf
Learn how to boost your tree's health with fruit tree foliar sprays that you can make at home from sugar, molasses, epsom salts...and Coca-cola? Our show guest is regenerative agriculture expert John Kempf of Advancing Eco Agriculture.
Additional resources:
Learn the best practices for keeping your trees well-fed and productive through sustainable, eco-friendly methods here.
The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website http://www.orchardpeople.com.

Formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show, from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, we have grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of our monthly guests, organizations, and audience from around the world.

We offer something for everyone to support your fruit tree care journey, whether you prefer to learn through listening, watching, and/or reading.

RADIO SHOW and PODCAST - FOUR WAYS TO TUNE IN
Join our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments!
Can’t make it live? No worries – catch the podcast later.

Here’s how:
Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Live Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube Channel at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Audio Podcast: Download the podcast after the show
Video Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist

NEWSLETTER
Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically, and beyond?
Sign up for the free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

PREMIUM EDUCATION
For premium fruit tree care education, visit https://learn.orchardpeople.com/ if you are ready to dig deeper and further your relationship with your fruit trees.

CONNECT AND GROW WITH US
You can also connect with us in the various communities listed below in the footer!
Let’s grow together.

(00:00) - Introduction to the Community Orchard
(00:16) - The Importance of Community in Orchards
(00:54) - Introducing Foliar Sprays with John Kempf
(01:53) - Understanding Regenerative Agriculture
(04:14) - The Role of Foliar Sprays in Photosynthesis
(05:43) - Key Nutrients for Effective Foliar Sprays
(07:06) - Listenener Questions on Foliar Sprays: How often should foliar spray be applied?
(08:36) - Mechanisms of Nutrient Absorption in Plants
(11:30) - Homemade Foliar Sprays: Ingredients and Application
(13:24) - The Coca-Cola Foliar Spray Debate
(16:53) - Best Practices for Foliar Spraying
(24:18) - Live Seminar Plans Post-COVID
(24:41) - Foliar Spray Application Frequency
(25:59) - Homemade Foliar Spray Ingredients
(28:53) - Heat Stress Management in Orchards
(33:50) - Kind Harvest: A Social Network for Growers
(39:11) - Nutrient-Rich Foliar Sprays
(46:49) - Final Thoughts and Resources
50 min
May 25, 2021Bury Your Briefs to Evaluate Soil Microbes with Cameron Ogilvie and Kari Dunfield
Soil microbes play an essential role in releasing nutrients from the soil in a form that our fruit trees and other plants can access. So, if your soil doesn't have a healthy and diverse microbe population, your fruit trees will not thrive. The problem is that microbes are so tiny that we can't see them with the human eye.
How do we know if we have a good microbe population? According to the Soil Conservation Council of Canada all you have to do is bury a pair of 100% cotton underwear in the topsoil of your garden. Leave your undies in the ground for a couple of months. Then, when you dig them up see what they look like. If your soil microbes have been busy digesting and recycling organic matter, then all that will be left is the elastic waist band.
To learn more about this process, I've invited two experts from the University of Guelph to talk about the "Bury Your Briefs Campaign" and about the role soil microbes play in keeping our fruit trees and other plants healthy. They are Cameron Ogilvie, Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator and Kari Dunfield, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Microbiology of Agro-ecosystems.
The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.

Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

She is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST
The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.

📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.
🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.
🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Bringing Life to Your Soil: How to Improve Soil Quality Naturally" and find the video and podcast links there too!

✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:

✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/
🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:
https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/
🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/
🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:
https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/
🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/

These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

(00:00) - Introduction
(00:58) - Meet the Experts
(01:25) - Understanding Soil Microbes
(04:03) - The Bury Your Briefs Campaign
(07:13) - Microbial Activity and Soil Health
(10:15) - Best Practices for Soil Health
(15:13) - Bacteria in Soil
(18:10) - Understanding the Importance of Consistent Testing
(19:13) - The Role of Fungi in Soil Health
(20:47) - Exploring Soil Organisms: Beyond Bacteria and Fungi
(22:02) - The Fascinating World of Springtails
(22:52) - Debating Soil Minerals and Rock Dust
(25:21) - Actinomyces: The Source of Healthy Soil Smell
(27:15) - Studying Soil Microbes in the Field
(28:36) - Urban Agriculture and Soil Microbiology
(31:02) - Bio Fertilizers: A Sustainable Alternative
(34:34) - Nurturing Soil Microbial Populations
(39:01) - The Importance of Soil Microbes
(42:11) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
43 min
April 20, 2021Soil and Tissue Testing with Jack Legg
Jack Legg, an agronomist from SGS Canada, talks about soil and tissue testing and how that can help ensure that your fruit trees and plants have the nutrients they need.
The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.

Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

She is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST
The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.

📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.
🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.

✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:

✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/
🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:
https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/
🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/
🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:
https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/
🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/

These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

(00:00) - Introduction to Soil and Its Mysteries
(00:34) - Signs of Soil Fertility and Plant Health
(01:10) - Importance of Soil Testing
(01:27) - Meet the Expert: Jack Legg
(05:10) - Understanding Soil pH and Nutrient Availability
(07:07) - Soil Testing Procedures in the Lab
(10:34) - Listener Questions and Expert Answers: The Importance of Looking at the Bigger Picture
(14:20) - Nutrient Dynamics in Soil and Plants
(20:29) - Challenges in Nitrogen Management
(22:34) - Understanding Nitrate and Nitrogen Loss
(22:46) - Complex Forms of Nitrogen
(23:25) - Listener Questions: Apple Trees and Sugar Levels
(24:50) - Protecting Soil Health
(26:51) - Plant Tissue Testing Explained
(31:55) - Soil Testing Kits: Are They Worth It?
(36:00) - Choosing the Right Lab for Soil Testing
(37:39) - Conclusion and Farewell
39 min
March 15, 2021Growing Blueberries with Kathleen Demchak
What is the secret of growing blueberries successfully? In this episode of The Urban Forestry Radio Show and Podcast we speak to Kathleen Demchak, Senior Extension Associate at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences about blueberries and how to grow them successfully.

Click here to watch an 8-minute video excerpt from the podcast.
Download Kathleen's PDF on growing blueberries, Keys to Establishing a Successful Blueberry Planting.

The prize for this episode's contest includes two tools from Dramm. It includes a 10' soaker ring, which directs water to the roots of young trees and shrubs, and a Dramm Bypass Pro Pruner. The total value of the two item package is $38.00.

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website http://www.orchardpeople.com.

Formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show, from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, we have grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of our monthly guests, organizations, and audience from around the world.

We offer something for everyone to support your fruit tree care journey, whether you prefer to learn through listening, watching, and/or reading.

RADIO SHOW and PODCAST - FOUR WAYS TO TUNE IN
Join our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments!
Can’t make it live? No worries – catch the podcast later.

Here’s how:
Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Live Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube Channel at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Audio Podcast: Download the podcast after the show
Video Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist

NEWSLETTER
Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically, and beyond?
Sign up for the free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

PREMIUM EDUCATION
Are you ready to dig deeper and further your relationship with your fruit trees?
Visit https://learn.orchardpeople.com/ for five-star rated premium fruit tree care education.

CONNECT AND GROW WITH US
We continually adapt our presence to the communities that resonate with us.
Check out the current ways to connect with us in the footer ↓
Let’s grow together!

(00:00) - Introduction to Native Plants
(00:21) - Challenges of Growing Blueberries
(00:41) - Understanding Blueberry Soil Requirements
(00:54) - Interview with Kathy Jemchak
(01:34) - Natural Habitats of Blueberries
(03:29) - Blueberry Root Systems and Mycorrhizal Associations
(05:37) - Making Your Garden Suitable for Blueberries
(07:18) - Listener Questions: Winterizing and Pruning Blueberries
(12:03) - Listener Questions: Soil Amendments and pH
(14:01) - Listener Questions: Moving and Planting Blueberries
(28:24) - Listener Questions: Fertilizing Blueberries
(31:56) - Exploring Blueberry Varieties and Cultivars
(44:16) - Conclusion and Upcoming Shows
46 min
February 18, 2021Creating a "Tree of 40 Fruit" with Sam Van Aken
Sam Van Aken is an award winning artist and an associate professor in the Art Department of Syracuse University who uses grafting techniques to create his "Tree of 40 Fruit" art installations across North America. His trees will grow multiple different types of fruits including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries and almonds.

Additional resources:
To see a 10-minute video excerpt from the show, click here.
This month's recommended resource: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2021 Garden Guide
The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website http://www.orchardpeople.com.

Formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show, from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, we have grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of our monthly guests, organizations, and audience from around the world.

We offer something for everyone to support your fruit tree care journey, whether you prefer to learn through listening, watching, and/or reading.

RADIO SHOW and PODCAST - FOUR WAYS TO TUNE IN
Join our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments!
Can’t make it live? No worries – catch the podcast later.

Here’s how:
Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Live Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube Channel at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Audio Podcast: Download the podcast after the show
Video Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist

NEWSLETTER
Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically, and beyond?
Sign up for the free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

PREMIUM EDUCATION
For premium fruit tree care education, visit https://learn.orchardpeople.com/ if you are ready to dig deeper and further your relationship with your fruit trees.

CONNECT AND GROW WITH US
You can also connect with us in the various communities listed below in the footer!
Let’s grow together.

(00:00) - Introduction to Fruit Tree Planting
(01:19) - Introducing the Tree of 40 Fruit
(01:49) - Meet Sam Van Aken
(02:36) - The Art and Science of Grafting
(06:10) - Exhibiting the Tree of 40 Fruit
(08:07) - Grafting Techniques and Challenges
(08:55) - Listener Questions and Expert Answers: rootstock, interstock, history and surprising downside of multi grafted trees
(18:56) - Global Interest and Community Feedback
(22:14) - Exploring Stone Fruits and Grafting
(23:45) - Challenges of Growing Fruit Trees
(27:02) - Grafting Techniques and Compatibility
(31:22) - Customization and Historical Projects
(33:38) - Indoor Fruit Tree Cultivation
(35:19) - Art and Horticulture: A Personal Journey
(39:19) - Final Thoughts and Audience Questions
44 min
January 21, 2021When To Fertilize Fruit Trees with Robert Crassweller
When is the best time to fertilize fruit trees? In this episode Tree Fruit Production Extension Specialist Robert Crassweller, Ph.D. from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences talks about how fruit trees' nutritional needs change throughout the seasons.
Additional resources:
Watch this 10-minute video excerpt from this episode on when to fertilize fruit trees
Learn best practices for keeping your trees well-fed and productive with articles here
Listeners that sent in questions or comments during the live show were entered into this month's contest to win Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden (affiliate link) by Jessica Walliser

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website http://www.orchardpeople.com.

Formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show, from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, we have grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of our monthly guests, organizations, and audience from around the world.

We offer something for everyone to support your fruit tree care journey, whether you prefer to learn through listening, watching, and/or reading.

RADIO SHOW and PODCAST - FOUR WAYS TO TUNE IN
Join our live show on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM ET and submit your questions and comments!
Can’t make it live? No worries – catch the podcast later.

Here’s how:
Live Audio: Listen on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Live Video: Watch live on the Orchard People YouTube Channel at 1:00 PM on Tuesday
Audio Podcast: Download the podcast after the show
Video Podcast: Watch the recorded video on our YouTube Podcast Playlist

NEWSLETTER
Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically, and beyond?
Sign up for the free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

PREMIUM EDUCATION
For premium fruit tree care education, visit https://learn.orchardpeople.com/ if you are ready to dig deeper and further your relationship with your fruit trees.

CONNECT AND GROW WITH US
You can also connect with us in the various communities listed below in the footer!
Let’s grow together.

(00:00) - Introduction: The Impact of Diet on Health and Productivity
(00:55) - Comparing Human Nutrition to Plant Nutrition
(02:19) - Essential Nutrients for Fruit Trees
(02:40) - Understanding NPK and Macronutrients
(06:04) - Identifying Nutrient Deficiencies in Fruit Trees
(09:14) - Listener Questions: Nutrient Testing and Pruning
(13:18) - Cover Crops and Nutrient Competition
(15:30) - Seasonal Nutritional Needs of Fruit Trees
(19:30) - Listener Questions: Rot and Favorite Apple Varieties
(21:58) - New Apple Varieties
(22:24) - Mulching and Calcium Application
(25:33) - Spring Nutritional Needs for Fruit Trees
(29:36) - Nutrient Management for Backyard Growers
(31:45) - Choosing the Right Apple Tree Varieties
(34:45) - Fertilizing and pH Levels
(39:24) - Fall Care for Fruit Trees
(40:48) - Listener Reviews and Show Wrap-Up
45 min
December 22, 2020Native Apple Trees with Paul Kron
Most apple trees that we grow in our gardens and orchards are not native to North America. DNA tells us that these trees originate in the mountains of Kazakhstan in Central Asia. But there are some crabapple trees that are native to North America. In this episode we talk to Paul Kron, Research Associate at the Plant Population and Evolution Research Lab at the University of Guelph about native apple trees.
Click here to watch a 9-minute video segment from the hour-long podcast to learn the history of apple trees, how feral apple trees differ from native ones, and to learn the mystery around Malus coronaria's reproduction.

MORE INFORMATION:
Most of the Husband lab research on Malus coronaria has taken place at rare Charitable Research Reserve in Cambridge, Ontario (https://raresites.org/). Rare is an excellent spot to see Malus coronaria trees in a publicly accessible area.
Paul's lab offers apple identification services to homeowners who want to identify the variety of an old apple tree near them.
Additional resources:
Consider checking out the Green Legacy Program for Wellington County residents or your local department of natural resources as a potential source of native apple trees
This month's recommended resource: Preserving Wild Foods: A Modern Forager's Recipes for Curing, Canning, Smoking, and Pickling by Raquel Pelzel

ABOUT
Orchard People, formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, has grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of the monthly guest experts, organizations, and community from around the world.

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST
The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET!
While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.

Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.
Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.

NEWSLETTER
Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically and beyond?
Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's FREE monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/
BOOKS
Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care.
Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

COURSES
Susan is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

ARTICLES
For more information on this topic, click on the links below:
How to Prune Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/
Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:
https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/
How to Feed Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/
The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:
https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/
How to Graft Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/

These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
(00:00) - #?? Native Apple Trees Full
(00:41) - The Journey of Apples to Europe
(01:25) - Introduction to Native North American Apple Trees
(01:42) - Meet Paul Kron: Apple Tree Expert
(01:55) - Understanding Native vs. Feral Apple Trees
(03:12) - Hybridization and Genetic Studies
(04:08) - Distribution and Misconceptions of Native Apple Trees
(05:28) - Growing and Using Native Apple Trees
(06:35) - Pollination and Genetic Testing
(19:21) - The Mystery of Native Crabapple Reproduction
(33:07) - Final Thoughts and Listener Reviews
38 min
November 11, 2020Apple Tasting Party with Yael Hickok and Dr. Amy Bowen
Yael Hickok is a volunteer who cares for Boyer's Orchard in Alaska. Each year she has an apple tasting party or gathering in which she and other volunteers are able to taste over 120 different varieties of apples planted on the site. But how do you evaluate the taste of an apple? Join us for this live apple tasting party to learn some key apple tasting skills.

To prepare for the show, buy these three apples which we will taste during the show to fine tune our tasting skills.
* Gala
* Granny Smith
* Honeycrisp
SHOW GUESTS:

* Yael Hickok, a volunteer who cares for Boyer's Orchard in Anchorage, Alaska where passionate fruit tree growing hobbyist Bob Boyer planted over 120 varieties of apple trees, many of them rare or heirloom trees.
* Dr. Amy Bowen, Director, Consumer Insights Group at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario. Amy has expertise in sensory and consumer science and has led the apple sensory evaluation panels at Vineland since 2012.

EXTRA RESOUCES:
To taste along with the team on the show download our Apple Tasting Evaluation Sheet
Here is a resource you may want to print and use for your own apple tasting parties!
The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.

Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

She is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST
The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.

📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.
🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.
🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Apple Tree Varieties: Discover the Best Apples to Grow at Home" and find the video and podcast links there too!

✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:

✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/
🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:
https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/
🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/
🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:
https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/
🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/

These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
1 hr 13 min
October 22, 2020How to Prune Old Fruit Trees with Bob Lever
Old fruit trees may be hollow but they can still produce fantastic fruit and they provide invaluable habitat to wildlife, sometimes for very unique and specific species.
In this radio show learn how to prune old apple trees and how to care for them with UK-based orchard educator Bob Lever.
"If you want to make a veteran tree for the future, you need to choose a nice vigorous variety that you know is capable of being long lived and put it on a nice vigorous rootstock. That is how we will get the veteran trees for the next hundred years." -Bob Lever
"While I can't transplant an old tree to my park right now, what I can do is do something for people in a hundred years time." -Susan Poizner
Additional resources:
For lots more detail about how to prune old apple trees, including a short video version of this podcast, visit this page
The full video version is released as of May 2025 - it's worth every minute!
Check out our recommended book for this month: Deerproofing Your Yard And Garden by Rhonda Massingham Hart
ABOUT
Orchard People, formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, has grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of the monthly guest experts, organizations, and community from around the world.

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.

HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST
The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET!
While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.

Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.
Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.

NEWSLETTER
Do you want to learn to grow fruit trees successfully, organically and beyond?
Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's FREE monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/

BOOKS
Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care.
Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

COURSES
Susan is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com

ARTICLES
For more information on this topic, click on the links below:
How to Prune Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/
Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:
https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/
How to Feed Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/
The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:
https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/
How to Graft Fruit Trees:
https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/

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(00:00) - Introduction to Bob Lever and Veteran Fruit Trees
(00:21) - Bob's Journey into Orchard Care
(01:52) - The Importance of Veteran Trees
(04:28) - Why is Pruning Important and Techniques for Older Trees
(07:22) - Listener Questions and Expert Advice
(13:06) - Restoring and Maintaining Veteran Trees
(20:35) - Effective Pruning Techniques for Older Trees
(21:13) - Understanding Tree Structure and Pruning Tips
(23:27) - Strategies for Pruning
(26:43) - Dealing with Water Sprouts and Grafting
(31:38) - Pruning Large Branches and Avoiding Dieback
(38:01) - Final Thoughts on Pruning and Tree Longevity
(40:05) - Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement
41 min

About Orchard People

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Learn how to grow and care for fruit trees with fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner of OrchardPeople.com. Discover how to create permaculture plantings, food forests, and forest gardens in both urban and rural settings. Meet experts on all aspects of comprehensive fruit tree care, including pruning, pest and disease prevention, fruit tree grafting and budding, and soil management.