By Topf Wells
We had a safe and productive morning of pruning at the Neperud orchard.  Safe because the small turnout made for ample spacing and avoidance of any coronavirus that had found its way to Paoli (which we hope and expect has not happened, at least not yet) and because no one dropped any limbs on one another or severed any digits or appendages with Lisa Johnson’s deluxe pruning saws.

Four of us, a mix of SWTU members and Master Gardeners, showed up at Landmark Creamery on Sunday, 3/15 for Lisa Johnson’s concise but excellent primer in pruning newer and older trees.  We then pruned in the Neperud Orchard for about an hour.  We focused on three trees on the southwest corner of the orchard that needed help really badly.  With Lisa leading by example (and thus providing some additional superb training), we have the trees in much better shape for a lovely and productive year.  With Lisa’s pre-orchard lesson and hands-n guidance, I think all of us felt we can really prune a fruit tree safely and productively.

As we looked at what we accomplished, the feeling is similar to what we feel after a work day.  You can really see that you’ve done some good.

Cumulatively, our efforts at Neperud are pretty impressive with about 25 trees pruned in our three pruning days.  We hope we can have Lisa back for a final push next year without a pandemic hanging over our heads.

Great thanks to everyone as usual but especially to:

Anna Thomas Bates of Landmark Creamery who opened her facility to us early for training and had coffee, blueberry scones, and the best brownies in the world available.

Lisa Johnson, who for three years in a row has sacrificed a Sunday to teach us how to prune and lead us in the restoration of the Neperud Orchard.  Among her many responsibilities for UW/Dane County Extension is running the Master Gardener Program.  She is a superb teacher, leader, and public servant and that’s one of the best programs in Dane County.

Jim Beecher, who took photos and spent many minutes on a ladder ministering to the tree that needed the most help. (see his full photo album)

For any of you with pruning around your house or land, contact Lisa and ask the brand of the pruning saw.  She said it’s $75 and, believe me, it’s worth every penny.  It cuts through tree limbs like a hot knife through butter.  It’s to pruning saws what Winstons or Sages are to fly rods.  Really.