<\/p>\n
The co-founders of the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project put on a workshop Saturday south of Dolores to share tips on how to properly prune a fruit tree.<\/p>\n
This is the best time of year to prune to reinvigorate dormant trees, said MORP co-founder Jude Schuenemeyer, but it\u2019s important not to cut too much. He recommends pruning a bit and then stepping away.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything with a tree, you\u2019re looking 10 years out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
MORP co-founder Addie Schuenemeyer said that she and her husband visit orchards throughout Montezuma County to teach a dozen orchard owners and fruit tree enthusiasts how to properly prune and graft trees.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fun to go around the county,\u201d Addie Schuenemeyer said.<\/p>\n
She said Montezuma County is the home of hundreds of historic orchards. On Saturday, Jude Schuenemeyer showed the group how to prune apple and pear trees at the 250-tree Historic Webster Orchard, owned by Veronica Webster since 2002.<\/p>\n
When the Schuenemeyers aren\u2019t putting on workshops, they\u2019re working on their peach orchard in McElmo Canyon, documenting historic research into Montezuma County orchards or helping to start community and school orchards throughout the Four Corners area.<\/p>\n
MORP will host grafting workshops in Bayfield on March 9, Yellow Jacket on March 23 and Hesperus on April 6.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit montezumaorchard.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n