Sat, March 14, 2015 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM UBC Point Grey Campus. $29.75 members, UBC students & UNA, $35 public. This workshop will focus on the science and art of espalier tree fruits. The following will all be included:
The history of tree fruit espalier around the world and in the UBC Food Garden
An overview of the many espalier forms and the best ones for an espalier beginner
Apples, pears, stone fruit, figs and persimmons some small fruit
Rootstocks and scion varieties for tree fruit espalier in the Vancouver area
Espalier support structures
How to plant and prune new espalier trees
How to read the growth, health and productive potential of existing espalier fruit trees
How to prune new trees to create specific tree forms
Tree training techniques that can be used at this time of year to maintain existing espalier trees
Common problems of espalier tree fruits in the Vancouver area, with a particular focus on canker diseases, and ways to prevent and control them.
This workshop will include an indoor presentation followed by an outdoor evaluation of existing espalier trees, a demonstration of a canker removal, training existing trees and how to prune a new tree in the UBC Food Garden.
Important Notes: The outdoor session will go ahead rain or shine. If you want to learn more, look at the other espalier workshops offered during the spring and summer.
Instructor: Richard Hallman grew up on a small commercial orchard in the Okanagan Valley where his fascination with horticulture began. After completing a Plant Science degree at UBC he travelled through the South Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand for 2 years working on fruit farms, nurseries and visiting many agriculture research centers. Back in Canada he worked as a contract pruner, landscaper, and commercial tree fruit advisor before joining the BC Ministry of Agriculture as an Extension Horticulturist in 1979. With the Ministry he worked as a production advisor to the Tree Fruit, Christmas tree, agroforestry and specialty crop sectors across the province. Since retiring in 2010 he has been developing a business focused on teaching home gardeners, institutions and small land owners about tree fruit culture, espalier tree training, bonsai, grafting and organic pest and disease control. Most of his work is one-on-one consulting and training of home gardeners. He is a Registered professional Horticulturalist and a Certified Arborist.