February 26, 2025

Pruning to Improve Fruit Quality with Harold Thornbro

50 minutes

Learn how to make your fruit trees produce better quality fruit with specialist fruit tree pruning!

In this special episode, Harold Thornbro, Host of The Modern Homesteading Podcast (https://redemptionpermaculture.com/category/podcast/) interviews Susan Poizner of OrchardPeople.com.

Susan is the author of the new book Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of Cultivating Healthy Fruit Trees (affiliate link).

Plus, don’t miss our Spotlight on Fruit Trees segment, where we explore Nadia Cherries with Rye Owen of Raintree Nursery in Morton, Washington!

You can also check out the previous episode when Harold interviewed Susan (Episode 96 on September 26, 2023):
-Listen to podcast
-Read transcript
-Watch on YouTube

Additional relevant resources:
-Read more articles about pruning to maintain tree health, control size, or boost productivity here.
-Podcast episode featuring John Kempf and the use of "household" ingredients may also be of interest here.
-Podcast episode featuring Linda Chalker-Scott discussing the best woodchips for mulch, and how to source 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?

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.

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Let’s grow together!

(00:00) - Introduction and Goals of Fruit Tree Growing

(00:22) - The Importance of Pruning

(02:08) - Pruning vs. Fertilizing and Spraying

(05:10) - Winter vs. Summer Pruning

(10:01) - Questions from the Audience: Identify the "Why" for pruning established fruit tress and stick with the strategy

(14:49) - Natural Fertilizers and Soil Health

(17:42) - Pruning Techniques for Different Climates

(23:34) - Spotlight on Fruit Trees

(25:48) - Clarifying Raised Beds for Root Rot

(26:42) - Pruning Techniques for Old Trees

(28:15) - When to Start Spraying Young Trees

(30:08) - Natural Remedies for Tree Diseases

(31:17) - Planting on Raised Mounds

(35:18) - Using Natural Mulches

(36:27) - Early Mistakes and Lessons in Pruning

(41:11) - Pruning Tips for Small Urban Gardens

(45:35) - Managing Large, Unpruned Trees

(48:41) - Get Susan's New Book on Fruit Tree Pruning

...more

View all episodes

By Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.com

4646 ratings