[Trillium]

Here's a very good fruit tree pruning video from the man who introduced me to Eden gardening, aka, heavy mulch gardening. I like how he explains the why's of what he does, and that pruning is not a science but rather an art form that is not perfect.

In case you're wondering, the pruning guy has walking problems.

VIDEO

[4 Seasons]

Good video that. Wish I'd seen it before I pruned this year not that I would have pruned to the same shape of tree as he did. If he has walking problems he probably also has mobility problems bending which is why he likes everything low. I find low branches a pain as windfalls get mixed up with fruiting branches and I like to sweep windfalls with a long handled broom as it saves bending or crawling about and low fruit just gets knocked off. I wonder how he deals with windfalls? I like the fact that he uses a mulch underneath his trees as I do because grass can also be a problem when trying to sweep windfalls.
Just ordered one of those Samuri pruning saws for doing the plums later this year.
Thanks for posting.

[Trillium]

In the video he states that by removing those lower branches where most of the windfalls seem to happen, that's how he eliminates most of that problem. I know he has chickens and they will get any windfalls. I know in my own trees that lower branches seem to produce the smallest fruits so I've been removing many of mine so that the upper branches aren't stressed and will produce larger fruit.

I've been pruning my trees to a similar size as his as my orchard is on a slope and the worst thing is to get a ladder out there trying to reach higher branches. Arm level picking is much faster as well. Those of us with a few extra years on us are much more appreciative of that choice.

I'll be looking for that saw myself - it looks the business.