Services

Planting

You’ll have some decisions to make when considering a new fruit tree. What kind of fruit tree and variety will you choose? Will your variety need a pollinator or is it self-fertile. Do you want to start with a bare root tree? Do you know what the pros and cons are to bare root trees? Or, buy a tree to keep in a pot, instead? You’ll also need to consider where and when is the best time to plant. We can help with each stage of your decision-making with expert advice about the pros and cons of your available choices.

Pruning

The question often arises, “When is the best time to prune a fruit tree?” That depends on what you are hoping the pruning will do. Pruning does not necessarily need to be done only when the tree is dormant. A fruit tree can be pruned in summer. This is called “a summer cut,” or pruning after harvest, after the fruit is harvested. Or, the trees can be pruned in the late fall and winter, all the way through May, depending on the tree and the size to be maintained. Most fruit trees can be pruned at most any time of the year when it’s not raining, without issues doing damage. A young tree may need pruning at a different time than a mature tree. During the growing season, thinning fruit will help protect the health of your trees by lightening the load of the fruit. It also helps to ensure your abundance of fruit for the following year. Olive trees are very forgiving. You can prune them almost anytime when they are not full of fruit. If you want to grow a lot of olives for olive oil, you can prune it with more fruit in mind.

Harvesting

Apples, apricots, peaches and figs all have their season. Knowing when to pick them is as important as how you pick them. Also, not all fruit on your tree ripens on the same day or week. When picking, a gentle twist is better than a sharp tug that can cause other nearby ripe fruit to shake free and hit the ground to bruise.

Maintenance

Maintenance schedules can be arranged based on your needs. You can choose from ongoing maintenance, bi-monthly, or monthly consulting for fruit trees, citrus, olives, and Japanese maples. The frequency will depend on the current health of your trees. The frequency depends on your budget. But not the number of trees the client has. And surely the health of the trees. We also offer staking, painting potentially damaged areas on fruit trees, composting, and mulching the trees we prune and care for. Our specialty is developing complete nutritional profiles for fruit trees and citrus, based on their area of weakness. We also offer a yearly maintenance option that is part DYI and part expert advice.
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Seasonal Safeguards

Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties have their mini-climates, those seasonal and sometimes daily variables in moisture, temperature, sunshine, fog, and wind that can impact your fruit tree’s growing conditions. Taking precautions based on your location can safeguard your trees from damage. Fencing can help protect trees from the wind. Regular watering can help during periods of drought.

Fruit Trees

If you are seeking a cornucopia of different fruits from one tree, grafting makes it possible. You may not want to get as creative as the Tree of 40 Fruit, which actually produces 40 different stone fruits due to grafting. But 4 or 5 apple varieties and/or pears on one tree can be an apple/pear lover’s delight. However, grafting is an art in itself that requires expertise, luck and patience.

Feeding

Feeding trees is an elemental aspect of a bountiful harvest. We offer a proprietary blend of amendments to promote health and increase fruit production, flavor, and dense nutrition. The feeding schedule is regular (every two weeks) to promote the health of your soil. High phosphorus content is good for forming blossoms and, thus, good for fruit abundance. I also follow the cannabis growers and the nutrients they use as their emerging best practices can be applied to increased fruit production.

Young Fruit Tree Care

Some people think the fruit will grow without maintenance if they plant a fruit tree. You could get lucky if your soil is rich with the proper nutrients. However, your luck may not last. Your soil needs replenishment. Soil management and soil soaks can make a significant difference. Knowing how to help a young tree get off to a great start and prosper will provide a bounty of fruit year after year.

Pest Mitigation

Diagnosing diseases and pest issues can save your trees and your family’s harvest. Everything from leaf-curling aphids to blister or rust mites, twig borers or codling moths (pears and apples), and fruit worms can damage your trees. Catching problems early and encouraging natural predators to control pests is often an option. Neem Oil is a great way to stop predators with a hard shell. Kaolin clay is used to deter codling moths, but it can get messy, so be prepared. Regular maintenance can catch problems early on.

Get In Touch

(707) 738-9931

sonomapruner@gmail.com

Sonoma, CA

Need Help or Advice Managing your Garden?

There is nothing like picking fruit from your own trees. Making sure that bounty is grown from the richest soil and fed from the best organic ingredients will ensure the healthiest, tastiest fruit and citrus from your trees to your table. Contact us today!