Sleeping Bear Antique Apple Pruning Workshop

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will again be hosting its popular pruning workshop on Friday, May 3, in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The workshop will be held at the Lawr farm; five miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22. Look for the sign along M-22.

The workshop will focus on maintenance of neglected apple trees and how to bring them back into production and maintain their health. The course will include:

1. How to identify and properly remove dead materials from abandoned trees
2. Proper pruning of the canopy for optimum maintenance and fruit production
3. Maintaining tree health
4. How to maintain ground cover under the tree
5. Watering and care of the tree and
6. Equipment safety.

A grafting demonstration will also occur in the orchard along with the planting of new trees from the park’s apple nursery.

They will be demonstrating how to add new stock back into your old orchard.The park is pairing with the Leelanau Conservation District and the County Extension Master Gardener Program to offer this hands-on training workshop. Experts from the county offices will provide the technical information and the park will serve as the host for this annual event. This marks the 17th year that these organizations have come together to participate in this event.

The course is set up so participants receive hands-on training of all techniques. The pruning workshop hours are 1:00-4:00 p.m. Those who would like to participate in the planting of the orchard should arrive at 10:00 a.m. Participants should meet at the Kelderhouse farmstead where an orientation and introduction will begin the process for each.

There is no cost to participants. Tools and materials will be provided. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and gloves, and dress according to the weather forecasted. Handouts will be provided. If you plan on participating for the entire day, bring a sack lunch.

Workers are not required to be skilled. The purpose of the workshop is to teach the techniques and train homeowners and the interested public how to restore to health and maintain antique apple and pear trees.

Interested parties should contact the Park Historical Architect, Kimberly Mann, at (231) 326-4771, to sign up for the workshop. Late registration is always accepted. Call to notify your intent to attend and sign up by email at kimberly_mann@nps.gov.