This will be our final workday for the season. Summary:

• On-site training
• 40 to 50 trees
• Surrounding brush was cut by machine last week
• Orchard is roadside so you can leave things in your vehicle. You also can leave earlier if need be
• You are welcome to join me for an early dinner afterwards (about 4pm) nearby. Probably at the Common Man in Plymouth
• No ticks as of last week
• Weather will be SUNNY and WARM, what a treat!
• You can bring your dog, if it is well-behaved and has a blaze-orange vest

The WMNF contains dozens of abandoned orchards from former settlements, often in remote, secluded areas without much human activity. Our wildlife biologists have prioritized the maintenance these orchards as a place of sustenance and refuge for forest wildlife. Tree maintenance is optimally conducted every two to four years. This work relies heavily on volunteers like you.

We will meet in the parking lot of the Sunset Grille at 9:00am. This is at the corner of Campton Village Road (Route 49) & Daniel Webster highway (Route 49). From there, we will drive together on a local gravel road to the orchard.

No experience necessary. There will brief talk on safety and instructions on using tools and of course, what and how to prune. The Forest Service provides tools. You are welcome to bring your own if you wish. We don't climb trees and we don't use power tools or axes. Lopers, bow saws and pole saws are the best tools. The good news is that the Forest Service keeps their tools sharp.

This is all about encouraging apple production and providing sanctuary. Pruning involves removing the brush from under the trees, removing dead branches and non-productive sappers, and, if possible, cutting back surrounding young sapling trees which might encroach on sunshine for the tree. If time permits, we will gather the cuttings into piles that our small woodland creatures can use for shelter during the winter months. It's been a few years since this was last pruned, most of the trees are in not-too-bad condition and we aim to keep it that way.

For your time, will receive hours credit towards an annual WMNF parking pass. Two workdays and you have a pass for next year!