Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

In this hands on workshop, certified arborists, Laura Ralph and Ryan Senechal, will introduce participants to important winter pruning techniques of fruit trees. The day will start with an overview of tools and key concepts, before moving into an outdoor demonstration in an established pear orchard. Participants will be encouraged to help evaluate and design a pruning plan for an individual tree and then given the opportunity to carry out that plan. Time permitting, each participant will be able to assess and work on more than one tree.

This workshop is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly, bring a lunch, and a pair of secateurs.

About the Instructors:

Laura Ralph is passionate about food forestry - bringing neglected fruit trees back into production is her idea of fun. Through maintaining fruit trees in residential gardens and community orchards, and leading fruit tree care workshops for the public, she has gained an understanding of how to promote the stewardship of healthy, structurally strong trees that yield tasty fruit.

Laura operated an ecological gardening and tree care company for 10 years, has been an ISA certified arborist for 13 years, is a red seal horticulturist, is tree risk assessment qualified, and holds a permaculture design certificate. She is also pursuing a degree in Agricultural Sciences online through Oregon State University. Currently, she works as an urban forester and believes that one of the best ways to get people to support urban forestry efforts is through their stomach.

Ryan Senechal is a municipal field Arborist and industry/community educator based in Saanich. Ryan has practiced tree care for over 15 years and instructed fruit tree workshops since 2011. His approach to workshops is participant-lead with frequent opportunity to practice.