55 degrees today in DC, and sunny. Perfect day for yard work. Also, it reminded me that Spring isn’t that far off, and yet the big unruly apple tree we inherited from our landlords was still unpruned. Pruning for shape and health of hardwood fruit trees like apples and pears should ideally happen in the winter when the tree is dormant. Our apple tree hadn’t been pruned, with any intent at least, in at least two years, maybe more. It was at minimum 15 feet tall and shooting a tangled mess of branches into and over the fence that bounds it on three sides (it is a very small yard-pictures forthcoming), not to mention threatening the telephone lines stretching towards the house.
I say “was” because thanks to the guidance of youtube (and real life) British orchardist Stephen Hayes, I turned that crazy pyramid of a tree into a lovely little open centered beaut. Alas, by the time I was done cleaning up and tidying my new wood pile, it was too dark for photos. I will be sure to post some soon. For now, watch Mr. Hayes work his magic, and get excited for the first blossoms of Spring, right around the corner.
Louis Wertz 
Lou,
I love pruning;, it makes me feel I have some hand in the magic nature provides. As the daughter of a proofreader, I must say though, check your subheading; necessary has only one ‘c’ . As your Dad says, “spelling counts”.
LikeLike
Kate gets the Gotcha prize for the week.
LikeLike