Orchards 2008

Last fall, this cherry tree was chewed by sheep. Gordon demonstrates the technique of creating a bridge with small watersprout branches removed from higher on the tree. The bridge is so nutrients can flow again.

March

We decided to graft about 100 of our apples trees this spring and had our eye on Honeycrisps™ because our neighbors have plenty of that scion wood. However it's a licensed apple and they aren't sublicensed to sell it to us. Therefore, we decided to wait on that variety until the license expires November 09.

The apples of our eye might be heirloom varieties available through Tooley's Trees in Truchas, NM. He has red-fleshed crabs, hard cider apples, and many other varieties that might be suitable in our climate and market.

We met Gordon Tooley (more about Gordon in this news article) at the New Mexico Organic Farming Conference in Albuquerque. A pruning speaker mentioned she'd heard there was going to be a "bridge graft" performed somewhere after the conference.

This tantalizing lead (what's a bridge graft? orchard demo?), typical of the way rumors waft through a large body of people, spun me on my heels when I spotted bareroot trees leaning against a table. Could this be a clue?

We remained in Albuquerque overnight at the Adobe and Roses Bed and Breakfast, which lived up to its romantic name delightfully, to watch Gordon display his talents with the damaged trees. We plan to visit his tree nursery in Truchas and bring scion wood back with us.

Gordon grows his stock organically, specifically to soils and climate similar to ours on Rogers Mesa. His nursery is located on the highroad between Santa Fe and Taos, at 7960'.

In the meantime, all apples but the two rows we plan to graft have been pruned and are ready for next season's blossom. More good news: the bees have made a few tentative trips from their hives and appear to have survived the winter.

Two cuts are made below and above the damage, the small branch whittled to follow its curve and connect flush with the trunk. Gordon works his way around the tree, inserting two pieces per cut, and securing just so with twine and/or tack.

When the tree has been circled with grafts, the wounds are covered with a combo of bees wax and turpentine. Gordon makes this look easy with the power of his concentration and experience. For us neophytes he recommended the recently reissued Grafters Handbook.

Apples in the snow, before pruning.
Peaches showing healthy red branches.

Winter

The orchards look like they're sleeping, but quite a bit is happening to the trees. Exactly what isn't completely understood — somewhat similar to my winter dreams — doubtless we're all preparing for spring, or should be.

January 15, 16, & 17 is the Western Colorado Horticultural Society Annual Convention in Grand Junction. Wink and I are planning to go. We always get our imagination sparked up and that usually leads to better farming practices. One of the topics this year is "Taking the 'Art' out of pruning" so we're going to hold off on our own pruning until we hear what Ted DeJong has to say.

We're also installing a new irrigation system this year so lucky for us, there's a speaker discussing "Orchard irrigation principles."

We're grateful that winter is here, so trees and we can dream quietly for a spell. - M