Prune – Along Services

Are you wanting to learn how to care for your own trees?

Our Prune Along service is a 90 minute session designed to teach the basic skills of pruning and fruit tree care. During a session, one of our fruit tree specialists will:

• Assess your tree(s) health and condition.
• Instruct you on how to care for and maintain your fruit tree(s).
• Introduce you to proper pruning techniques.
• Advise you on a tailored pruning plan that meets your goals.

Instruction is hands on and interactive, and our tree care specialists are happy to answer any questions you may have about your trees. If there is more work to be done than can be accomplished in the session, we can advise you on the next steps and walk you through the rest of the process.This service does not include debris removal.

Please note that only January bookings are available at this time.

Pruning Apprenticeship

We are very excited to be offering a pruning apprenticeship program, starting in January 2025.

Intro

The Welland Orchard Winter Pruning Apprenticeship is a free skill-building and volunteer opportunity that gives participants the opportunity to develop a solid theoretical understanding of fruit tree pruning, as well as the chance to bring that knowledge into practice while helping with winter pruning at Welland Orchard. 

The program consists of one training session and a minimum of three volunteer sessions (multiple sessions available). The training session is primarily theoretical with some limited hands-on practice. The volunteer sessions provide the opportunity to bring that knowledge into practice in a smaller group size with ample opportunities for feedback, as participants will work together with the Welland Orchard Coordinator to prune the orchard.

Who we’re looking for:

This program might be a good fit for you if you are looking for ways to increase your skills and knowledge around fruit tree care AND are looking for a fun volunteer opportunity.

Dates:

Training Session:

January 12th from 9am-12pm (all participants must attend)

Volunteer Sessions (all participants must attend a minimum of 3 session):

Please note, all Sunday volunteer session are now at capacity, space is still available on Monday volunteer shifts. If you are interested in participating and are not available on Mondays, please email [email protected] to be added to the wait list.

• Sunday January 12th 1pm-3pm SESSION FULL- TAKING WAIT LIST
• Monday January 13th 10am-12pm
• Monday January 20th 10am-12pm
• Sunday January 26th 1pm-3pm SESSION FULL- TAKING WAIT LIST
• Monday January 27th 10am-12pm
• Monday February 3rd 10am-12pm
• Sunday February 9th 1pm-3pm SESSION FULL- TAKING WAIT LIST
• Monday February 17th 10am-12pm
• Sunday February 23rd 1pm-3pm SESSION FULL- TAKING WAIT LIST

Location: Welland Orchard, 1217 Stancil Lane, View Royal

Cost: Free

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the Winter Pruning Apprenticeship, participants will have leaned

• How to safely use and care for tools required for pruning work including secateurs, pruning saws, orchard ladders and pole pruners. 
• The 3 primary different types of pruning cuts, and when, why and how to use each one. 
• How to prune apple trees in a way that supports tree health and shapes future growth

Pruning Workshop at Welland Orchard

We know that taking shears to your favourite fruit tree can be intimidating, however proper pruning is essential to maintaining tree health and ensuring a good harvest for years to come.

This workshop will cover the basics of pruning and provide a live demonstration on one of the many fruit trees in the orchard. You’ll learn: how to select the proper tools; how to use and care for those tools, and why; as well as how and when to prune your trees and vines.

By the end of this workshop, our goal is for you to be confident enough to tackle pruning in your own backyard.