... the team is outside getting busy with the pruning saw and secateurs. All our Wisley Diploma students undertake 6 days of fruit pruning training, 3 days each year. We go through all the relevant techniques including grape vines and different tree pruning techniques.
Gerry Moore, senior gardener in the Fruit Department, is teaching 2nd year trainee Peter Jones all about how to winter prune an open centre bush tree. (This particular specimen is an apple 'Gyllenkrok's Astrakan' and is around 60 years old). All the relevant health and safety aspects such as working with ladders, as well as the technicalities of what to prune and how, are covered.
Click here for more information: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1205/applepruning.asp
Peter says "by lunch time my feet are so numb it doesn't hurt anymore". Well, it is only a week until Christmas, it's bound to be a bit chilly!
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.