SWANVILLE — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a workshop on the principles of pruning apple trees on Wednesday, March 25, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Waldo County Gardens, 685 Swan Lake Ave, Swanville.  

UMaine Extension Tree Fruit Specialist Renae Moran will demonstrate different techniques that can be employed to shape trees and contain their size. Specific topics will include the difference between heading and thinning cuts, how pruning severity affects the tree and a general method suited for old apple trees. In addition to pruning, several other important topics when establishing and managing an apple orchard will be covered including pollination, rootstock selection, disease and insect pests and much more. Participants can expect to learn pruning techniques that can be applied successfully in their own orchards, according to the Extension, in a news release. 

Register on the event webpage. Workshop fee is $15. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Billiejo Pendleton at 207.342.5971 or Billiejo.pendleton@maine.edu.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine's land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.