Nearly 60 residents gathered at the Old Firehouse Community Center, 100 Avon Belden Road, on Feb. 12 for a free fruit tree pruning class hosted by the city of Avon Lake and the Avon Lake Tree Commission.
The two-hour program began with an indoor instructional session before participants headed outside for a hands-on demonstration led by certified arborists from Bartlett Tree Experts.
The focus of the class was proper pruning techniques for backyard fruit trees, specifically, the apple and peach trees planted on the Old Firehouse property.
The two-hour program began with an indoor instructional session before participants headed outside for a hands-on demonstration led by certified arborists from Bartlett Tree Experts. (Clara Wicinski — The Morning Journal)
Jennifer Fenderbosch, Avon Lake City Council representative and Tree Commission member, said the workshop is part of the commission’s commitment to community outreach and education.
“Part of our focus is community outreach and community education,” Fenderbosch said. “We decided that we would not charge anyone for this class.”
The fruit trees at the Old Firehouse are rooted in local history.
They were planted as part of a larger garden project supported by the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club and funded through a grant from the National Garden Club.
The trees, a Red Haven peach and a Golden Delicious apple, reflect Avon Lake’s orchard past.
Fruit harvested from the property is donated to Avon Lake’s Community Resource Services.
In previous seasons, peaches, apples, blueberries, tomatoes and herbs have been shared.
Apples often are made into applesauce and frozen for donation.
During the workshop, arborists explained the key differences between pruning stone fruit trees and non-stone fruit trees.
“There’s a difference in the way that you prune a stone fruit tree,” Fenderbosch said. “A peach tree has more of an open center, think of a goblet, so the sun can come in.
“An apple tree is more of a broader shape.”
Participants also learned why late winter is the ideal time to prune most trees while they are dormant.
Fenderbosch emphasized the importance of pruning oak trees only during the dormant months of December through February to prevent the spread of oak wilt, a disease that quickly can kill healthy trees.
“There’s an insect that can smell when a branch is cut,” she said, explaining how the disease spreads.
The class drew attendees from several surrounding communities, including Bay Village, Sheffield Lake, Vermilion, Grafton and Aurora.
The strong turnout prompted discussion about offering additional educational programs in the future, potentially with certification through the International Society of Arboriculture.
Fenderbosch said the goal is to encourage sustainable practices and give residents confidence in caring for their own trees.
“We’re hoping that families will feel comfortable planting a fruit tree and learning how to take care of it,” she said.
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